MELAKA (April 18): The Melaka Port Authority (LPM) has decided that a specific port area for bunkering (refueling ships) activities will be set within the limits of the Melaka Port in the Straits of Melaka with a diversion time of less than 30 minutes.

LPM chairman Datuk Koh Chin Han said the size of the area, adjacent to the main shipping route, is about 15 square kilometres with natural water depths of between 16 metres to 29 metres.

He said that the area would be able to simultaneously accommodate over 20 very large crude carriers for purpose of bunkering.

“This specific berthing area for bunkering activities especially for transiting ships passing through the Straits of Melaka will be the first of its kind in Malaysia.

“The model of operation and implementation is similar to those in Fujairah, Gibraltar and the main transhipment harbour located close to the main international shipping route," he said in a statement here on Monday (April 18).

He said Far East Bunkering Services (Melaka) Sdn Bhd (FEBS) had been appointed to handle and manage the area professionally.

 He said LPM was committed to positioning Malaysia as a new location for bunkering activities.

The effort had opened new opportunities to Malaysia to supply high-quality bunkering to transiting ships passing through the Straits of Melaka safely and efficiently without delaying their sailing schedules,” he said.

Meanwhile, FEBS director, Datuk Shahrull Allam Shah Abdul Halim said FEBS was committed to investing up to RM40 million in developing the specific port area.

He said this included setting up a Shipping Traffic Management System (VTMS), the mechanism for protecting the quality and quantity of bunker supplied, preventing pollution and oil spills as well as providing other marine services.

With the development of the area, he said over 100,000 passing through the Straits of Melaka annually would have an option to stop by to obtain offshore supplies.

He said they could also carry out all other additional services including ship crew changes, offshore support and logistics service in one location.

In the meantime, Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said he is confident the area would grow into one of the preferred bunker ports in the region and would help Malaysia expand the bunker and maritime industries.

He said this is because the specific bunkering activity port area, which is located in a strategic position in the middle of the Straits of Melaka, has a competitive advantage as a one-stop centre that attracts transit ships by meeting all their needs.