By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Ministry (Mindet) is addressing congestion issues at the Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP) through the implementation of eight interim action plans approved by the Cabinet on February 4, 2026.
Its Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said one of the interim measures involves the provision of an additional 14-acre area to increase container storage capacity and reduce congestion within the port area.
He said the implementation of new tariff rates and the reduction of the free container storage period during peak seasons from five days to three days had shown a positive impact in reducing congestion at container storage areas.
“The implementation will be reviewed after a three-month period to ensure its effectiveness for all stakeholders,” he said.
“At the same time, the Sabah Ports Authority (LPPS), together with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, is coordinating standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to the disposal and auction of overdue containers, particularly containers remaining at the port for more than 21 days and perishable goods exceeding 24 hours.
“These measures have already resulted in a reduction of overdue containers within the port area following the implementation of the action plans,” he added.
To improve port operational efficiency, Ewon said all relevant government agencies had agreed to support 24-hour operations on any day, including public holidays, subject to prior notification and applications submitted in accordance with procedures under LPPS Port Circular No. 02/2026 dated April 28, 2026.
As a long-term solution, he said LPPS had also submitted an official request to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department for cargo inspection and clearance operations at SBCP to be conducted on a full 24-hour daily basis.
He said the Vehicle Booking System (VBS) had also been made mandatory for all lorry operators beginning April 1, 2026.
“The system is intended to regulate truck entry through scheduled arrivals to reduce congestion at the port entrance. The system is implemented free of charge and is expected to have significant impact once fully utilised by all lorry operators,” he said.
Port operator DPW Sabah is also taking proactive steps to upgrade container handling equipment through the rental of two reach stackers, which are already operational, the rental of five internal transfer vehicles (ITVs) expected to arrive in June 2026, an additional seven ITVs in the fourth quarter of 2026, as well as the procurement of 10 additional rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), he said.
Four RTGs are expected to arrive once the four-acre expansion site at SBCP is ready, projected by the end of 2026, while the remaining six RTGs will arrive upon the full completion of the SBCP expansion project, expected in the fourth quarter of 2027, he added.
Meanwhile, Ewon said the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) was preparing a trailer parking site to help facilitate trailer and container movements during off-peak hours.
“The facility will allow lorries to park overnight and subsequently reduce congestion within the port area,” he said.
He said the State Cabinet meeting on May 13, 2026 had also approved two additional initiatives, namely the temporary relocation of roll-on roll-off (RORO) operations from Sapangar Bay Container Port to Kota Kinabalu Port effective May 15, 2026, and the implementation of the Berthing Window Programme effective May 22, 2026.
“The relocation of RORO operations is expected to increase container unloading capacity at the wharf by 20 per cent,” he added.
Meanwhile, he said the Berthing Window Programme implemented by DPW Sabah was a vessel scheduling method based on pre-determined time slots, which would help reduce vessel congestion in surrounding waters.
To ensure all action plans were comprehensively and effectively monitored, Ewon said a task force had been established and would be chaired by the Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation himself.
He said the implementation of the eight interim action plans and two new initiatives reflected the Sabah Government’s continued commitment to resolving congestion issues at the Sapangar Bay Container Port.
‘The implementation will be reviewed after a three-month period to ensure its effectiveness for all stakeholders’ – Ewon
