Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Philippine-Based ICTSI Picked To Operate PMB Container Port
By Nadi DP Mahmud

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Philippine-based International Container Terminal Services Incorporated (ICTSI) has been offically appointed as the operator of the proposed container port located at Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) while Surbana Consortium from Singapore has been given the task as a master planner for the whole project, according to the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) yesterday.

"The BEDB had recommended ICTSI's appointment following a detailed by our advisor, Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd. They were selected based on their proven track record, competitive financial proposal and their willingness to invest with us in the development of PMB," said Dr Lim Hong Hin, BEDB's Assistant CEO and Head of Marketing and Investment Promotion.

ICTSI, that currently manages 16 ports in 11 countries that includes Brazil, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Madagascar, Philippines, Poland, Syria, Ecuador and Georgia, was appointed following an international tender conducted by the BEDB.

ICTSI had earlier announced to the foreign media that the award was subject to several requirements, including a negotiation of a formal memorandum of understanding between both parties. ICTSI currently has a market capitalisation of US$1.5 billion and handled over three million containers last year.

The appointment of Surbana follows an international tender conducted by the BEDB in which 16 international and local consulting firms participated.

The BEDB said that the consortium had been appointed to conduct a thorough technical investigation of the island and develop a detailed master plan for the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

Surbana Consortium, has over 40 years of experience in planning, designing, implementing and managing large infrastructure projects in 20 countries that includes the master plan in developing the King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia, Al-Khor and Al-Wakra master plans in Qatar and the conceptual master plan for Suzhou Industrial Park in China.

"Our ambition is to develop PMB as the leading port in Borneo and the Bimp-Eaga region. The PMB project will transform the Muara Area and expected to generate economic benefits and opportunities to the people of Muara and Brunei as a whole. We believe there is no reason why Brunei, with its resources and strategic location, should have the smallest port on the island of Borneo," said Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, Acting BEDB chairman, in the press release.

Muara Port has a handling capacity of 220,000 to 330,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containers compared to a handling capacity of 500,000 . TEU containers in Sepangar Port in Sabah and 400,000 TEU containers in Bintulu Port in Sarawak.

PMB is a low lying island and is located in Brunei Bay close to Muara Port with a land area of approximately 955 hectares. A feasibility study conducted in 2003 found FMB to be suited for the development of a deep water port and manufacturing hub.

The PMB project will include the construction of a bridge linking the island of PMB to Muara town, the BEDB said.

The BEDB will be hosting a forum and a press conference on October 28 at Jerudong Polo and Country Club to present the proposed plan and implementation timetable to the local business community and other stakeholders. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times