Sabah is looking at measures to improve operations at Sandakan Port in the east coast region of the state following recurring crane breakdowns and concerns over shallow shipping channels that could affect vessel movements.
Deputy Chief Minister III and state Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Ewon Benedick said the issues were discussed at a stakeholder meeting with port regulators, operators and industry representatives on Thursday.
He said Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd (SPSB), the port concessionaire, had outlined plans to acquire new machinery to improve cargo-handling capacity.
As an interim measure, two cranes have been transferred from Tawau Port to Sandakan while the company works towards procuring new equipment.
On the shallow shipping channel, Ewon said a memorandum of understanding between Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation (SOGDC) and SEDCO Mining included plans to examine dredging works near the Sawit Kinabalu Sandakan Industrial Park.
The area is used as a shipping route, making improved navigational access important to port operations.
Ewon also agreed that stakeholder meetings should be held at least once every quarter to monitor progress and keep port users informed of improvement measures.
The meeting was attended by Sandakan MP Vivian Wong, representatives of the Sabah Ports Authority, SPSB and several business and shipping associations.
