MIRI, Feb 16 — Miri Port will be upgraded and expanded as the city has been identified as a strategic hub for the overall economic development of the northern region, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said today.
He said the Baram River delta where the port is located is very congested, with the depth of the river reaching seven metres during high tide and able to accommodate ships with a draught of four metres.
“Therefore, we will have to deepen the river delta,” he told reporters after visiting Miri Port and conducting a sight inspection of dredging and associated works at the Baram River delta.
Abang Johari said the port is hampered by the shallow channel of the Baram River delta to the port.
He said this has resulted in vessel delays, long turnaround times and high operating costs.
He also said that the government intends to build a harbour and warehouses at the port.
“The completion of the Miri Port upgrading and extension work will transform Miri as a gas hub in the northern region of Sarawak,” he said.
He said state-owned Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) will develop a RM2 billion 400mega megawatt (MW) cycle gas turbine power plant to supply energy in Miri.
He said Petros, as the supplier of gas, will be working together with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB).
“This will be a pre-requisite for the investors to come to Sarawak,” he added.
The premier said Shell company is coming to Miri as its operational headquarters for this region.
“Therefore, it has a positive effect on the economic development in the northern region,” he said.
