Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha outlined details of the Muara Port Expansion and Renovation Project, revealing that the new container terminal at Muara Port is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2027.
Speaking on the fourth day of the first meeting of the 22nd Session of the Legislative Council on Sunday, the minister said the project, developed by Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd, will double the port’s capacity from 220,000TEU to 500,000TEU annually.
He was responding to a query from Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof.
The project will also include a 3.26-hectare Port Trade Zone within the new terminal to facilitate import, export and manufacturing activities while improving logistics efficiency and trade flows.
The minister also highlighted efforts to strengthen port connectivity. including the container shipping route between Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group and Muara Port.
“Since the official launch of this container shipping route on July 8 2023, it has served as a foundation for strengthening maritime connectivity between Brunei Darussalam and China,” he said.
“The total throughput recorded for 2025 was 303TEU. Although some shipments still require transshipment through intermediary ports due to the cargo volume that is still developing, efforts to explore new cargo and business opportunities will continue to support the viability of this route in the medium and long term.”
He added that cargo and container handling at Muara Port had shown positive development with maiden calls by Shandong International Transportation Company and Warisan Shipping Line, expanding connectivity to ports in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
On new shipping services, he said the Coastal Feeder Service introduced by Warisan Shipping Line “is expected to support smoother supply chains, improve the efficiency of cargo and container handling, and encourage the growth of national trade and logistics activities.
This will further strengthen the role of Muara Port as a competitive maritime hub, particularly within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.”
The minister also revealed that in May 2024 Huahang Aluminium Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary or joint venture with Guangxi Laibin Huahang Aluminium Company Limited, secured a tenancy to operate an aluminium processing facility at the MPC warehouse.
“This project, currently awaiting approval, is expected to process up to 1,000TEU of recycled aluminium per year in its first phase. Once approved, it will support direct fortnightly calls between Muara and Guangzhou, further strengthening the shipping route while increasing port capacity to support regional trade,” he said.
He added that Huahang Aluminium has also established operational facilities, including an Inland Container Depot at Muara Port under a bonded warehouse licence. “With an initial investment of approximately BND10 million, the company is also developing facilities and procuring machinery and equipment. This investment is expected to further stimulate port activities and increase cargo handling volumes.”
Meanwhile, the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) continues to play a key role in developing the country’s maritime sector under its strategic plan Navigating 2030.
“With a focus on infrastructure development, workforce development and international cooperation, Brunei is strategically positioned to become one of the competitive maritime hubs within the regional trade networks of BIMP-EAGA and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the minister said.
He added that plans are underway to establish ship-to-ship (STS) facilities and a lay-up area to strengthen Brunei’s capacity as a regional maritime service centre.
“These initiatives are expected to attract foreign investment, diversify the maritime economy and support improved logistics connectivity.”
On expanding maritime business opportunities, he said MPABD is conducting preliminary assessments and feasibility studies on several initiatives.
“They include, among others, the establishment of free trade zones, collaboration with shipping companies, car depots, trailer management services and the facilitation of free trade through inland container de-pots.”
MPABD, he added, is also strengthening engagement with shipping companies through proposals for incentive mechanisms to attract international lines, including the provision of empty container stations and port maintenance and repair services.
“Several studies are currently being conducted, including the establishment of trailer management services by identifying infrastructure requirements, digital systems and operational support needed to improve the efficiency of trailer movement, cargo management and logistics integration within the port area.”
(news source: Borneo Bulletin, pic source: Info Foto, Jabatan Penerangan)
