By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Oct 21: The expansion of Senari Terminal, involving a wharf extension and a new container yard, is set to begin in 2027 and increase the terminal’s overall container capacity by 36 per cent to 750,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the projects would reduce vessel waiting times, ease congestion and improve cargo handling efficiency.
The wharf will be extended from 635 metres to 885 metres, while the new container yard will have a capacity of 200,000 TEUs.
Uggah said Sarawak’s ports recorded a 12.5 per cent increase in cargo throughput from January to August this year, reaching 48.6 million tonnes compared to 43.21 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.
“This upward trend in cargo throughput is an encouraging indicator of Sarawak’s expanding trade, industrial and economic activities. It reinforces the vital role of our ports as gateways to trade, investment and economic growth,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
He said port infrastructure and operational capacity would continue to be enhanced to meet growing demand.
As part of these efforts, roll-on/roll-off (RORO) operations have been progressively relocated from Pending to Senari Terminal.
A vehicle yard with a total capacity of 3,500 vehicles is being developed to facilitate the relocation. Phase 1, which can accommodate 2,500 vehicles, has been operational since November 2025.
Meanwhile, the Dredging and Associated Works Project at Batang Baram Delta in Miri has achieved 89.53 per cent physical progress.
Major dredging works, training bund construction and navigational improvements are targeted for completion by March 2027.
Uggah said the project would support the establishment of an Oil and Gas Support Services Hub by mid-2027, while also facilitating shipbuilding, containerised cargo activities, cruise services and oil palm bunkering. — DayakDaily
