KUCHING: A new Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) vehicle yard at Senari Port has been built, enhancing the state’s readiness to support logistics and port operations amid growing regional demands.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, highlighted the strategic importance of RORO services, noting that 17% of Senari Port’s total revenue is generated through RORO-related operations.
“This facility is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. With the current Sejingkat Bridge still under construction and only expected to be completed next year, the RORO terminal is now fully operational and ready to serve the people of Sarawak,” Uggah said during the handing over ceremony for the Vehicle Yard Senari Terminal and Bailey Bridges at Senari Port on Tuesday (Aug 5).
The development spans 14.64 hectares, rolled out in two phases with Phase One, costing RM47.98 million, with a capacity to accommodate 2,500 vehicles, while Phase Two, worth RM21.2 million, adds space for another 1,000 vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak director, Cassidy Morris, said the construction of the new PWD headquarters, expected by 2026, posed logistical challenges due to its 26-metre height clearance, which restricts access for larger vessels.
The redirection of RORO vessels to Senari Terminal necessitated the development of this new yard.
“What we see here today directly addresses that challenge; it includes vehicle parking, administrative offices, and storage facilities, all of which are ready for immediate and future use.
“This is a strategic step forward in strengthening Senari Port’s overall capacity,” Morris said.
Previously, RORO operations in Kuching were based at Pending Port, while the second RORO facility in Bintulu remains under development.
Uggah who is Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development commended Kuching Port Authority (KPA) and Senari Port for their success in completing the project, which he believes will greatly improve the port’s efficiency and service delivery.
In conjunction with physical infrastructure upgrades, he also urged all Sarawak ports to embrace digitalisation in line with the Sarawak Digital Economy Action Plan 2030, a cornerstone of the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030).
“The government places strong emphasis on adopting technologies like AI, blockchain, and 5G, which are key to driving innovation, increasing productivity, and enhancing operational efficiency,” he said.
He called on port authorities to implement port automation technologies, such as smart gate systems, automated container vehicles, and AI-powered data management using IoT and blockchain.
The state government has also established a single Sarawak Port Authority, recently approved by the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), recognising the need for a more unified structure.
It will consolidate the current five port authorities, plus a sixth incoming port, into one centralised body to better coordinate planning and operations across the state.
“This reform will allow Sarawak’s ports to rise to global standards and transform Borneo into a competitive maritime hub,” Uggah added.
