THE port industry performance in Penang is profoundly affected by Covid-19 pandemic, according to state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari.
The state Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman said this is proven based on the record and operating statistics.
“The number of containers handling is expected to record a decline by 6.6% this year with 1,040,098 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) when compared to last year with 1,113,618 TEUs.
“Meanwhile on conventional cargo handling services, they are expected to decline by 17.2% this year when compared to the performance in 2019 that recorded 7,167,415 freight weight tonnes (fwt).
“Thus, Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) is expected to handle the conventional cargo at 5,934,435 fwt only for this year,” Zairil (PH-Tanjong Bungah) said in reply to Dr Afif Bahardin (PPBM-Seberang Jaya) during the State Legislative Assembly in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Earlier, Dr Afif in his oral question had asked about the performance of the port industry in the state during Covid-19.
For the cruise operations at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, Zairil said they are expected to record a drop in handling of 70.6% compared to 2019 that recorded 733,789 passengers.
“For this year, PPSB is expected to handle 212,627 passengers only,” he added.
In reply to another question from Ong Ah Teong (PH-Batu Lancang) who wanted to know about the current status and updates on the construction of an underground water reservoir system at Solok Van Praagh, Zairil said the state government has already approved an allocation of RM350,000 on Dec 5, 2019.
“The allocation is for Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to conduct a detailed design study of the proposed project at Solok Van Praagh to reduce the impact of flash floods there.
“However, based on the site visit on Aug 24 this year, we found that the open space area that was originally proposed for the construction of this project does not meet the specifications.
“Thus, we are currently in the process of appointing a consultant.
“The DID and appointed consultants later will suggest the alternative design of the project or the most optimum location to build the underground water reservoir system at Solok Van Praagh to solve the flood woes there,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alvie Cheng