It is imperative for the ports in Sarawak to be future ready and able to compete regionally and internationally so that the services and facilities provided will facilitate the economic development in the State.
This was stated as the new focus and objective for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) this year.
The upgrade the technology used in the ports of Sarawak is among the proposed initiatives to prepare the ports to meet the insatiable demand of the ever-increasing population.
Aside from the upgrade of technology used in the ports, the ministry’s other initiatives that are awaiting Sarawak Cabinet’s approval for the development of the ports in Sarawak are;
- Proposal for the expansion of Senari Port to meet future demands
- Proposal to resolve congestion issues in Senari Port and Samalaju Port
- Proposal to privatised Miri Port operations involving channel deepening and dredging work in Kuala Baram
(Source: MIPD)
As of now, YB Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has achieved several initiatives within the first 100 days period since he was appointed as the minister of MIPD. They include;
- Visiting all the Port Authorities (Kuching Port Authority, Rajang Port Authority, Senari Port Authority, Miri Port Authority)
- Instructed MIPD and Port Authorities to come up with remedial proposals and suggestions to resolve issues brought up during the visitations and briefings
- Hosted a town hall session with Samalaju Port Stakeholders and foreign investors and instructed MIPD to set up a committee to come up with a proposal to resolve port congestion, waiting time, etc
- Instructed MIPD to facilitate and coordinate the consolidation of remedial plans and acts
(Source: MIPD)
Globalization plays a huge role in the shipping and port industry.
With increasing trade routes and traffic as well as the greater exchange of good and products and also the strategic development between nations, ports and terminals are increasingly getting busier by the day.
Thus, this means the ports will need more manpower, more overheads, more space and acquisitions, quality infrastructure, lesser downtime and most importantly, greater efficacy.
This also implies that there is a pressure to meet the increasing demands and expectations while at the same time not compromising the efficiency and quality standards of the services offered.
Hence, this is where data technology and automation are needed.
As the name might suggested, a smart port can be referred to as an automated port using data analytics and automation to make the right business decisions and run operations effectively.
Among the technologies that can be found in smart port includes the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Block-chain technologies, augmented reality and other smart and data-science based interfaces.
Within the Asian region, among the examples of smart ports includes those in Busan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Singapore.
Technologies and data help smart ports in their massive operations.
As the volume of transported goods and products increases, technology ensures efficiency by improving logistic and inventory in the warehouse through automatic identification and detection of goods.
Productivity can also be increase as more cargo can be cleared in less time with a reduction in load times (loading and unloading), thus leading to higher revenue.
Technology helps with security checks and make accidents become less common with automation through automated processes.
Security can range over everything from security of freight to safety of personnel and equipment and of course, systems, cybersecurity and data
Aside from that, artificial intelligence (AI) can analyse data to create a more risk-free environment and having this information in real-time can result in a safer working environment.
Smart ports also help in decision making.
For instance, monitoring and data collection will help make better overall decisions as well as problem-solving and support predictive planning. Digitalisation in port is key that allows ports not only in Sarawak but everywhere globally in improving the efficiency of its operations.
