LANGKAWI PORT UPGRADE COMPLETED

RM28m improvements will cater to island’s logistics demands for next 15 years, says deputy minister

THE recently upgraded Langkawi Port at Tanjung Lembung, here, will be able to cater to the logistics demand on the island for the next 15 years.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Othman Aziz said the RM28 million upgrading project would end the logistical constraints on the island following its rapid development.

“With this new dock, which is part of the port expansion project, I foresee it being able to cater to the increased demand for the next 10 to 15 years,” he said on the sidelines of the handing-over ceremony for the upgraded port.

Othman said the upgraded port would also complement the Langkawi International Airport expansion, which is expected to be completed next year.

“With all these plans in place, Langkawi will be able to achieve its target of attracting five million tourists by 2020,” he said.

A yacht docking and servicing facility featured in the project would provide employment for local youths and teach them technical and vocational skills, he said, adding that this was one of the ways the local community would benefit from economic development on the island.

Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) chief executive officer Datuk Azizan Noordin said the port, managed by Lada’s subsidiary Langkawi Port Sdn Bhd, would be able to handle up to 442,000 tonnes of cargo after the upgrading works were completed.

“It is expected that five roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ferries will be operating next year from the three presently.

“Consequently, we expect the ferry service to accommodate some 195,000 vehicles and 380,000 passengers yearly.”

Azizan said the volume of cargo handled at the port had increased 161 per cent over a period of 18 years, from 148,000 tonnes in 1998 to 387,000 tonnes last year.

“The number of vehicles handled rose 496 per cent from only 23,000 units in 1998 to about 137,000 units last year. Passenger traffic soared from 22,000 people in 2013 to about 217,000 last year,” he added. Bernama