Sarawak's Bintulu Port is shaping for more expansion with operating company Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (BPHB) to invest MYR400m ($123.7m) over three years to boost its container and cargo handling capacity, as well as support facilities for oil and gas (O&G) companies.

The move is aimed at helping reduce its reliance on its core liquefied natural gas (LNG) business. Capex for the period up till 2017 would include the conversion of a 300m general cargo wharf for container operation and building of a new 300m general cargo wharf at the second inner harbour, ceo Mior Ahmad Baiti Mior Lub Ahmad was quoted as saying by local media. These two projects are estimated to cost MYR340m.

Other projects in the pipeline include the development of a 300m bulk fertiliser wharf, also at the second inner harbour and a 150m small barge berth at the port’s edible oil terminal.

“The new terminal costing between MYR12m and MYR15m will be the first among the new projects to be ready next year,” he said. The other project lined up to commence this year is a dedicated offshore supply base for O&G companies.