East Malaysia's major port group Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (BPHB) has been given greater future certainty after obtaining approval in-principle from the Federal Government to extend the concession period for the operation of the Bintulu Port to 2052, according to local reports.

Detailed terms and conditions for the extension of the concession agreement are subject to the concurrence of all parties concerned, said chairman Ali Hamsa, The group has been the port concession holder since it was privatised in 1993. In 2014, the port handled 270,495 teu and recorded 8,478 vessel calls, however, LNG remains as its most important cargo.

An anchor customer is expected to complete its new LNG train by this year to increase production capacity by another 3.6m tonnes from the current 25.7m tonnes per annum in early 2016, said Ali. He reiterated however that the group is striving to diversify its cargo base and reduce its dependency on LNG shipments to 60%.

“Specific focus will be given to the development of the container sector, dry bulk and palm oil, as well as the oil and gas sector,” he had earlier said.

New projects planned within the next five years include the conversion of a 300 m general cargo wharf for container operations, the proposed 300 m bulk fertiliser wharf at Second Inner Harbour, the proposed 150 m small barge berth project at the edible oil terminal, the proposed LNG berth No 4, the proposed 400 m general cargo wharf at Second Inner Harbour, including the warehouse and the open yard for paper products, acacia logs and other general cargoes, as well as the proposed development of a supply base terminal at Second Inner Harbour.