PORT KLANG: Upgrading work on Northport Bhd's Wharf 16 is 56% complete and is on track to be fully operational by November this year, said NCB Holdings Bhd chairman, Tun Ahmad Sarji.
He said Wharf 16 was one of Northport's latest multi-purpose port facility which was undergoing upgrading work since March this year.NCB manages the port operator.
Wharf 16 is 213 metres long, 79.2 metres wide and covers 16,878 sq metres.
It has displacement tonnage capacity of 80,000 tonnes and a depth of 12.9 metres.
"The major components of Wharf 16 upgrading works comprise the installation of a new 100 ft crane rail beam, upgrading of marine fenders and construction of new tower lights which involve a total investment of RM25.6mil," Ahmad Sarji said at the NCB's Corporate Leadership Update media briefing on Monday.
He said upon completion, the upgraded Wharf 16 would be served by two new Super Post-Panamax quay cranes.
The two cranes, which were delivered last year, are part of six new quay cranes purchased by Northport in 2013 for over RM170 mil to increase its terminal handling capacity.
The cranes are the most advanced container handling equipment at Northport's Container Terminal 2.
"Northport also plans to upgrade one of its oldest wharves, Wharf 8, and facilities at Container Terminal 4 (CT4). Upon completion, Northport will be able to berth more ultra-large-sized vessels at CT4 which would translate into higher terminal capacity and connectivity," he said.
Ahmad Sarji said all these capacity expansion work was part of its RM1bil capital expenditure allocated until 2016.
So far, Northport has spent about RM600mil, he said. On whether there was a plan to list Northport, Ahmad Sarji said that was up to the shareholders.
"As of today, there is no plan that I know of," he said.
On its another unit, Kontena Nasional Bhd (KNB), Ahmad Sarji said the company was installing new accounting and information technology systems.
In its filing to Bursa Malaysia recently, the group said it was taking legal action against a member of the KNB's senior management after a special review done by Pricewaterhouse Coopers of its accounts revealed irregularities due to concealment and misrepresentation.
During the briefing, Ahmad Sarji said chief executive officer (CEO) of Northport, Abi Sofian Abdul Hamid, would be taking over the helm as group managing director of NCB effective Sept 1, 2014 following the retirement of Datuk Abdul Samad Mohamed.
With Abi's appointment, Rubani Dikon would take over as the CEO of Northport effective Sept 1, 2014.
