Lee Kim Shin Inspects Miri Port Channel and Lighthouse to Ensure Maritime Safety and Compliance with International Standards

MIRI, March 14 – Sarawak Minister of Transport, Dato' Sri Lee Kim Shin, led a team today to the 4th floor of the Miri Port Authority administrative building to inspect the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) Tower. He also conducted an on-site inspection of the Miri Port breakwater and dredging project (Phase 1) to assess the progress and materials used in the construction.

 Lighthouse Upgrades to Enhance Maritime Safety

Following the inspection, Lee stated that one of the key focuses of the visit was upgrading the lighthouses in Miri Port. Accompanied by Sarawak Ministry of Transport Permanent Secretary Datu Wong Hee Sieng, the Director of the Sarawak Marine and Lighthouse Board (POIS and Lights Board), Miri Port Authority General Manager Serawa Ak. Budol, and other relevant representatives, he visited the Tanjung Lobang and Kuala Baram lighthouses to explore ways to enhance their facilities and ensure safe navigation.

 “These lighthouses have been in operation for many years and require upgrades. Once the new channel is completed, larger vessels will be using Miri Port, significantly increasing traffic in the area. Therefore, we must enhance navigational aids to meet international maritime safety standards,” he emphasized.

 Lee also reviewed the progress of the Miri Port new channel construction and expressed satisfaction with the work being carried out. He revealed that the project is expected to be completed six months ahead of schedule.

 “According to the contractor, all construction materials and equipment are in place. Full-scale construction is set to begin after the Lunar New Year holiday, on March 20,” he stated.

 The project involves a 6-kilometer channel, including breakwaters on both sides. Currently, 5.2% of the work has been completed, achieving initial results. Notably, the construction of the northern breakwater has resulted in the natural reclamation of 10 acres of land, gradually expanding the beach area, with further land growth anticipated in the future.

 Lee noted that the ultimate goal of the project is to develop Miri Port into a deep-sea port, enhancing its cargo handling capacity and boosting regional economic growth.
 

“We are exploring ways to further enhance navigational safety facilities, including lighthouses, navigation equipment, and emergency response systems, to ensure that all vessels entering Miri Port and operating offshore can navigate safely. Additionally, our navigation system must comply with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) standards and upgrade all Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) to meet international maritime requirements,” he added.

 

Strengthening Safety Measures to Safeguard Port Operations
 

Regarding port safety, Lee emphasized that more facilities, including a fire station, will be added to handle emergencies. He also stressed improving port navigation management to ensure vessels can enter and exit smoothly without being affected by tides and terrain.

 

“The waters off Miri are extremely busy, with various commercial vessels and offshore oil platform operations. Therefore, we must continuously improve maritime safety to meet international standards and ensure that port development aligns with future needs.”

 This inspection underscores the Sarawak government's commitment to advancing Miri Port’s maritime infrastructure, positioning it as a more competitive shipping hub in the region.