Developing Muara Port towards a positive change, as well as enhancing its growth and profitability by working as a team with the relevant agencies were among the matters raised by the Minister of Communications at the launch of the new Muara Inland Container Depot (ICD) yesterday in Muara.

Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong said that ports are facilitators of shipping, which is the mover for world trade.

He said that as a domestic, regional and international trading facilitator, Muara Port should be sensitive to changes and trading patterns and regional and international economic activities.

"With shipping developments, unloading technologies, management, ICT and globalisation, ports continue to grow along with developments as well as an increasing demand. These developments and changes affect and challenge the ports.

"In relation to this, port managers should evaluate trading strategies.

"To face these changes, ports and all agencies responsible for providing service at ports should practise a work ethic that is full of commitment, efficiency as well as being trustworthy while cooperating closely with other agencies to ensure every side benefits, including to increase income.

"Understanding everyone's roles, abilities and needs is important to generate growth and activities in ports that can lead to an increase in the nation's income.

"Therefore, all responsible agencies in managing ports - shipping agencies, container operators, transport agencies, unloading agencies - need to cooperate with the port manager and together, find ways and explore strategies to stimulate activities in ports. These will enable Muara Port to be in demand and competitive," he added.

"If two-way relationships can be established and practised, we can uphold the performance of Muara Port and as a team, we increase its development," he added.

According to the minister, with the recent signing ceremony between His Majesty's Government, represented by the Ports Department, and International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) for the services and operation of Muara Container Terminal, ICTSI will run operations and services for a specific term to bring about positive changes as well as move Muara Port to a higher level to become an active port in sync with regional and international industrial developments and demands.

"Innovation and initiative to make trade easier, guaranteed and compliant, as well as to open more economic opportunities are as important as making the port services continue to be relevant and non-monotonous," he said.

"I was also informed that the Ports Department will be opening tenders for the rental and operations of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) very soon for local and foreign companies. This initiative will increase transit and unloading activities at Muara Port either through land or sea routes. It will also directly increase the throughput growth of cargo and containers, thus providing job opportunities and also port connectivity.

"Other than that, I also laud the Royal Customs and Excise Department who has established several changes in the Customs Transit Rules which have taken effect from April 1, 2009 which among others. state for containers to be sealed and for loose cargo to be transported using sealed lorries or trucks; waiving of the security deposit; and the transit charges for every delivery as $25 per loose cargo and $100 for restricted and prohibited items," he added.

In efforts to focus on economic activities at ports, the minister said that safety and security that fulfill national demands and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) rules are also a very important aspect.

"Safety also concerns ship safety, cargo handling, worker safety, accident prevention and pollution control. Preparing procedures and rules is not the only important matter, but also practising them as a working culture.

"Security issues are not only the responsibility of one party, but a team effort in order to ensure Brunei is kept away from any dangers and threats.

"Brunei, as a member of the IMO, has to ensure the 11 port facilities are continuously ISPS Code compliant since July 1, 2004 ," he said.