MEGAH Port Management Sdn Bhd (MPM), the new operator of Labuan Liberty Terminal, will be holding its town hall session with trade associations, chambers, port users and relevant bodies to discuss port-related matters after the Movement Control Order (MCO) is lifted.
Its managing director Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin said the company recognised the importance of a dialogue to solicit feedback and suggestions to make Labuan port more resilient and effective.
“To all the associations, chambers and port users, we hear you and we value your opinions towards making Labuan Liberty Terminal a prominent port in the region,” he said in a statement today.
He also acknowledged comments by the Labuan Freight Forwarders (LFFA) and the Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) on the new tariffs imposed by MPM, and said the company is taking their opinions seriously and constructively.
“We understand that the shipping business has been affected by Covid-19 and lower oil prices, and therefore companies will need some time to recover from this global impact.
“As such, we have waived wharfage and berthing charges for a stipulated period as stated in our notice dated April 1 on our website.
“Certain charges were unregulated previously and we are making efforts to make those charges open and transparent,” he added.
Wharfage and berthing charges will be waived for all vessels berthing and sailing between 12.01am on April 1 and 11.59pm on April 30, and will be imposed on vessels berthing before 11.59pm on April 30, 2020 but sailing off after the waiver period.
According to the statement, container storage charges chargeable to consignees will be fully waived from April 1-8.
“Thereafter, a 50% discount on container storage charges will be given to consignees from April 9 to 30. Shipping agents will still be charged on container transportation, lift-on and container storage charges as per approved port charges,” Mohd Bakri said.
MPM was awarded the contract to manage the Labuan Liberty Terminal, and on April 1, it officially took over the port operation and facility management for the next six years.
The port operator said it plans to upgrade some of its facilities, including repairing container yards and enhancing fire safety systems and warehouses at the port, which have not been upgraded in the last 20 years. — April 20, 2020, Bernama
