He said that is one of the key plans in the pipeline that will subsequently contribute towards realising the state’s vision of building a digital economy and powerhouse for renewable energy.

He added Samalaju Industrial Port Sdn Bhd (SIPSB) is currently serving seven customers, with the designed berth capacity of 18 million tonnes per annum.

“Out of 356 hectares of land, we have utilised 44 per cent of our land, while still having vast land banks for future port expansion and development.

“Together with the aspiration of the state government to achieve its high-income economy status by 2030, we are committed to play our role in supporting this aspiration to become a reality.

“We strongly believe that the port will continue to grow in future, as we embark on bigger developments to provide better capacities and services to our current and potential customers,” said Abdul Mutalib.

He said this during SIPSB’s 10th anniversary celebration dinner at Parkcity Everly Hotel yesterday. The auspicious event was graced by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

From the first maiden voyage in April 2014, he said SIPSB has since handled various types of dry bulk and break bulk cargoes.

He added the port has served almost 7 million tonnes of cargo throughput and more than 300 vessels in 2022, signifying a remarkable 26 per cent of growth compared to year 2021.

Abdul Mutalib pointed out that the commendable growth was attributed by the economic recovery of the global trade fueled by the ramping up of production by the customers.

In December 2021, he said another important milestone was achieved where the port commenced its first container operations to support the industries within the park and its hinterland thereby connecting the port directly to the intra-Asia container shipping routes.

“We acknowledged the challenges that we are facing, especially when it comes to continuously increasing the port’s efficiency and meeting our customers’ expectations.

“It was only through sheer perseverance and close co-operation among stakeholders, that all adversities were overcome and have succeeded in making a decade of this journey,” he said.

During the event, Abang Johari also witnessed the exchange of memorandum of understanding, between SIPSB and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC), OCIKumho Sdn Bhd and Bintulu Development Authority.

“We would also be working together with the state government in achieving its goal towards a high-income economy by 2030 and ensuring that all development is done responsibly and sustainably.

“We look forward to future collaboration on enhancing our renewable energy capacities, as well as proactively participating in the State’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategies to accelerate the State’s economy in particular, and Malaysia as a whole,” he said.

Among those present at the dinner were Abang Johari’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Sarawak state secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Dato Majang Renggi, and Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Mohammad Medan Abdullah.