In line with the strategic objectives of the Ministry of Communications, the Ports Department is encouraging shipping line or principal to base in Muara Port, towards realising the vision of Muara Port to become the Hub Port for the BIMP-EAGA area.

In its effort to improve shipping connectivity, the Ports Department, Ministry of Communications has recorded another significant testimonial yesterday (26 August 2009) whereby a Main Shipping Liner called Mariana Express Lines which is based in Singapore made her maiden voyage to Muara Port. With this new service and improved shipping connectivity of the Muara Ports, it is expected that the container throughput at Muara Container Terminal to be increased and creating more business opportunities to our importers and exporters including local freight forwarders and transportation companies.

Attended to witness this event was the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Yang Mulia Awang Haji Mahmud bin Haji Mohd Daud, and other senior officers from the ministry as well as agencies operating in the Muara Ports. The event started with the recital of surah Al-Fatihah followed by tour to the MV Mell Saraca.

Mariana Express Lines will be using their fleets, namely MV Mell Saraca and MV Mell Saujana for the purpose of this voyage to Muara port. MV Mell Saraca was berthed at Muara Container Terminal. The said vessel has 9,948 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT), 147.84 m Length Overall (LOA), speed at 19.6 Knots and carrying 1,114 Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs). The second container vessel, MV Mell Saujana will also call at Muara Container Terminal. The latter vessel has 9,610 GRT, 142.7 m LOA, speed at 18 Knots and carrying 1,049 TEUs.

The shipping routing schedules are Hong Kong – Kuching –– Bintulu – Muara – Kota Kinabalu – Cayagan de Oro – Cebu – Hong Kong. This new service compliments some parts of the BIMP-EAGA Ports. The shipping schedule is one vessel per week (alternately) and will be calling at Muara Port every Wednesday.

The Ports Deparment will continue its effort to attract and encourage more shipping lines to make frequent calls at the Muara ports without losing sights on the importance of maritime safety and security aspects.