Muara Port

Muara Port
Muara Port in 2013
Map
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Location
CountryBrunei
LocationMuara, Brunei-Muara
Coordinates5°01′27″N 115°04′14″E / 5.0242489°N 115.0704866°E / 5.0242489; 115.0704866
Details
Opened1973
Operated byMuara Port Company
Size24 ha (59 acres)[1]
Statistics
Annual container volume330,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU)
Website
www.muaraportcompany.com.bn

The Muara Port (Malay: Pelabuhan Muara), also known as Muara Harbour,[2] is a seaport operated by the Muara Port Company (MPC) Sdn Bhd, under the supervision of the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam.[3][4] The port also contributed to the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).[4]

Geography

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The port's strategic location allows access to the Oceania, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.[5] The port lies 28 km from the capital of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan and it was considered to be the Gateway for Trade.[4][6] The Muara Naval Base lies north-east of the port,[7] and Muara Besar Island in the west.[8][9] The port also contains a free trade zone, which is known as the Muara Export Zone (MEZ).[10]

History

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In 1973, the port was officially completed and it became the largest port in Brunei.[5] In 1982, the port underwent a B$26.5 million expansion project.[11] It can also be noted after 1997, the port might not have been in use due to the decline in cargo volume.[12] The Port Authority bought two quay cranes in 1996.[13]

In 2000, a joint venture was made with the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA),[14] and later on 23 June 2003 United States Navy warships USS Vincennes (CG-49) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) were berthed at the port during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT).[15][16] Once again during CARAT 2005, USS Safeguard (T-ARS-50), USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) and USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60) were present at Muara Port.[17]

In 2011, there has been regional competition between Bintulu Port and Muara Port.[18] In 2013, three inland container depots have been upgraded,[19] and in 2014, the Belt and Road Initiative's Brunei-Guangxi Economic Corridor (BGEC) was signed between Brunei and China.[20] The Muara Port Company is a joint ventured company between Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd and Beibu Gulf Holding formed on 15 February 2017,[21] and later on 18 July 2018 the Muara Container Terminal was acquired by the company.[22] On 26 March 2019, Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose (F236) arrived at the port to conduct exercises,[23] and later from 27 until 30 September, the People's Liberation Army Navy training ship Qi Jiguang was berthed at the port during a goodwill visit.[24]

The MPC signed an agreement with the Brunei government to build and acquire the largest fishing complex in Brunei on 22 December 2020, thus enhancing the Brunei–China relations.[25] On 5 June 2021, the pre-commencement ceremony of the Muara Port Expansion Project was attended by the Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong, Minister of Finance and Economy and Minister of Transport and InfoCommunications.[26][27] On 30 January 2021, the French Navy frigate Vendémiaire (F 734) made a three-day visit to Brunei,[28] and later on 27 July, HMS Defender (D36) became the first Royal Navy ship to visit Brunei since 2019.[29]

Plans were made to expand the port by 2023, in which it will increase the quay length and capacity from 280,000 TEUs to 500,000.[30]

Facilities

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There are several designated areas and facilities within the port:

  • A 72,500 m2 (780,000 sq ft) container yard[22]
  • 7,050 m2 (75,900 sq ft) of transit warehouses[22]
  • A 861 m (2,825 ft) long mooring quay[22]
  • A 5,000 m2 (54,000 sq ft) container freight station[22]
  • 32,011 m2 (344,560 sq ft) of warehouses[22]
  • 18,427 m2 (198,350 sq ft) of Muara inland container depot[22]
  • 22,280 m2 (239,800 sq ft) of Muara export zone[22]

References

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  1. ^ Lloyd's Ports of the World. Lloyd's of London Press. 2000. p. 283. ISBN 978-1-85978-664-2.
  2. ^ Lloyd's List Ports of the World. Informa Publishing Group. 2010. p. 141.
  3. ^ "Home". Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "BRUNEI-MUARA DISTRICT" (PDF). English News Division Information Department. Prime Minister's Office Brunei Darussalam. p. 17.
  5. ^ a b "Strategic Location of Muara Port". Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  6. ^ USA, IBP (20 March 2009). Brunei Tax Guide Volume 1 Strategic Information and Regulations. Lulu.com. p. 222. ISBN 978-1-4387-0642-9.
  7. ^ Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 Borneo, Jawa, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara Enroute. ProStar Publications. 2005. p. 337. ISBN 978-1-57785-654-2.
  8. ^ Silvestre, Geronimo (1992). The Coastal Resources of Brunei Darussalam: Status, Utilization and Management. WorldFish. p. 147. ISBN 978-971-8709-11-5.
  9. ^ Singh, Daljit; Than, Tin Maung Maung (2008). Southeast Asian Affairs 2008. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 97. ISBN 978-981-230-790-3.
  10. ^ State, United States Department of (2006). Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2005: Report Submitted to the Committee on International Relations, U.S. House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 666.
  11. ^ Brunei (1982). Brunei. behalf of the Information Section, Department of State Secretariat, Brunei. p. 92.
  12. ^ Brunei (2000). Eighth National Development Plan, 2001-2005. Government Print. Department. p. 131.
  13. ^ East ASEAN Growth Area: v. 6. Country profiles: Brunei Darussalam, Philippines (Mindanao and Palawan). Asian Development Bank. 1996. p. 24.
  14. ^ Singh, Daljit (1 August 2003). Southeast Asian Affairs 2000. Flipside Digital Content Company Inc. ISBN 978-981-4517-10-2.
  15. ^ "Vincennes IV (CG-49)". NHHC. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  16. ^ "USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD 49): 2003-2004 Conmand History" (PDF). Naval Historical Center. 15 May 2004.
  17. ^ "MaritimeQuest - USS Rodney M. Davis FFG-60 Page 4". www.maritimequest.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  18. ^ The Report: Sabah 2011. Oxford Business Group. 2011. p. 136. ISBN 978-1-907065-36-1.
  19. ^ The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2013. Oxford Business Group. 2013. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-907065-78-1.
  20. ^ Rana, Pradumna B.; Ji, Xianbai (30 July 2020). China's Belt and Road Initiative: Impacts on Asia and Policy Agenda. Springer Nature. p. 97. ISBN 978-981-15-5171-0.
  21. ^ "Establishment of Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd (MPC)". Establishment of Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd (MPC). Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h "About Us". Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  23. ^ "British warship conducts exercise with Brunei navy after policing illegal oil transfers to North Korea". The Scoop. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  24. ^ "Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Training Ship Qi Jiguang visits Brunei". www.fmprc.gov.cn. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  25. ^ "Brunei-China joint venture to develop, operate largest local fishing complex - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  26. ^ "Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong Attended the pre-commencement of the Muara Port Expansion Project". www.fmprc.gov.cn. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Muara Port Company growth engine for Brunei's economy". The Star. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  28. ^ gp (30 January 2021). "French Navy personnel on board the Vendemiaire » Borneo Bulletin Online". French Navy personnel on board the Vendemiaire. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  29. ^ "News - UNITED KINGDOM ROYAL NAVY'S HMS DEFENDER..." www.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  30. ^ "Muara Port expansion to double Brunei's cargo capacity". The Scoop. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
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