Federal Malaysia urged to dredge Penang's north channel

PENANG provincial premier Lim Guan Eng has urged Malaysian federal authorities to re-ignite the MYR353 million (US$104.7 million) project to dredge the North Channel at Penang Port to facilitate containerships.

"If the deepening is not done in compliance with environmental requirements, it will harm plans to turn Penang into a green state," said Chief Minister Lim in a Bernama news agency report.

The call comes as the port's operator, Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), has invested MYR1.1 billion (US$326.26 million) over the last five years to upgrade infrastructure and in a container terminal as part of initiatives to boost the state's economy.

Mr Lim said continuing infrastructure upgrades at Penang Port and container terminal are key to attracting more ships, adding that efficient logistics would be the "yardstick" that would increase throughput.

(Source: www.schednet.com)