ASEAN Among Fastest Growing Regions In The World

Bandar Seri Begawan – The ASEAN region has been recorded as one of the fastest growing regions in the world with an annual average growth of about 7.4 per cent in terms of container movement.

The region recorded about 40 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) container port demand and about 20 million TEUs transhipment in 2002.

By the year 2015, Ocean Shipping Consultant estimates about 53 million TEUS in the ASEAN Import/Export Demand while transhipment is about 38 million TEUs.

ASEAN is at the maritime crossroads of East and West. Improvements in efficiency of ASEAN ports and shipping services, together with improvements in land transport access, offer greater scope for increasing trade competitiveness of the region.

Ports, as one of the transport nodes in the supply chain, need to be managed and run, so as to enhance their efficiency and competitiveness.

The growth of maritime trade calls for modern container terminals with efficient operations.

Brunei as the 6th member country of the ASEAN Port Association (APA) reiterates its commitments in participating actively in the programmes, projects and activities of the APA in promoting and enhancing safe, secure, efficient, competitive and orderly maritime transport in the ASEAN region.

This was stated by Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman bin Pengiran Seri Indera Pengiran Haji Ismail, Director of Ports, on opening the ASEAN Ports Association Seminar on Exchange in Port Development Projects: Operating a safe, secure and efficient APA Ports today.

The two-day seminar was attended by 30 delegates consisting of government officials and representatives of seven APA member countries with Myanmar as observer.

The seminar aimed to foster stronger cooperation among ASEAN port members and was held in Gadong yesterday.

In 2004 Muara Port recorded container throughput of 101,066 TEUs compared to 84,460 TEUs in 1996.

It showed an increase of 19.7 per cent in container throughput.

The port is capable of handling 330,000 TEUs and 2.5 million tonnes of cargo annually.

The Muara Port is strategically located in the ASEAN region, in particular the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

It only takes a few hours from the main international shipping route, and coupled with its excellent infrastructure and services, Muara Port is pursuing its vision to become the hub port.

Its development provides opportunities for the establishment of new services such as bunkering services, good distribution and logistical centre.

Currently, Muara Port provides shipping interconnections to almost all ASEAN ports as well as Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia and European countries like Turkey.

Haji Souyono bin Salamat, Deputy Director of Ports, told RTB that there must be a balance between enhancing security and not effecting its efficiency.

He added that Muara Port is secured and safe also as it maintains its efficiency as achieved even before the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code took effect.

According to Haji Souyono, all 11 ports facilities have already fulfilled the ISPS Code standard that enables it to continuously carry out international trade and attract foreign vessels. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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