KUCHING (Aug 27): Sarawak is set to strengthen its position as a regional trade and logistics hub with the expansion of Samalaju Industrial Port in Bintulu, following the signing of a sublease and supplementary agreement today.
The agreement, signed between Samalaju Industrial Port Sdn Bhd (SIPSB) and the Samalaju Port Authority (SPA) at Hotel Sheraton here, covers the leasing of Lot 83 and Lot 312 in Samalaju to SIPSB, a subsidiary of Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (BPHB).
SPA was represented by its coordinator Chin Hui Seng while SIPSB was represented by its Chief Executive Officer Sufri Bohari.
State Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Dato’ Majang Renggi witnessed the signing, marking a milestone in the port’s expansion.
BHPB, in a press statement, said the additional land allocation will enable the port to expand capacity, strengthen Sarawak’s role in the global supply chain, and support the state’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
“This expansion will reinforce Samalaju’s position as a deep-water industrial port designed to meet the logistics, import, and export needs of industries within the Samalaju Industrial Park,” the statement read.
Majang highlighted that the port’s development had always been envisioned to play a vital role in serving Sarawak’s industrial growth, attracting investors, and creating new employment opportunities.
The additional land will allow for new facilities, Free Zones, and modern logistics solutions to be established, offering seamless global connectivity for traders, manufacturers, and investors.
“The development of deep-sea ports and Free Industrial Zones has been identified as a strategic priority under PCDS 2030.
“Strengthening our port infrastructure ensures Sarawak can tap into opportunities in renewable energy, petrochemicals, and advanced manufacturing on the path toward a high-income economy by 2030,” Majang said.
The collaboration between SIPSB and SPA underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in driving meaningful infrastructure growth while enhancing Sarawak’s global competitiveness.
BPHB is also advancing its Free Zone initiatives at both Samalaju Port and Bintulu Port, with support from the Economic Planning Unit and federal regulatory bodies.
The Free Zone will serve as a future green hub for industries, with BPHB already signing MoUs with global partners to explore hydrogen, bio-LNG, and bioethanol projects in line with Sarawak’s sustainability agenda.
Also present at the ceremony were BPHB President and Group Chief Executive Officer Ruslan Abdul Ghani, BHPB Vice president and Chief Operating Officer Matshalleh Mohd Etli, SIPSB Chief Executive Officer Sufri Bohari, and the ministry’s port advisor Datuk Ian James.