BUTTERWORTH: Penang plans to build a new tuna and deep-sea fishing port in the state, which meets international standards, to increase tuna landings.
State agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee chairman, Fahmi Zainol said the government has identified an area in Bagan Ajam for the new tuna port and discussions are already underway.
"The state has earmarked land in Bagan Ajam for the development of the new port, with an estimated development budget of RM150mil to RM300mil. We are currently in talks with several investors for funding," he said.
He added that, based on the timeline, the port could be completed within one-and-a-half to two years, pending technical approval from the district land office and other relevant agencies, as well as private sector allocation.
"We hope the new port can revive the glory days of Penang's tuna industry, much like the 1990s," he said on Sunday (Aug 10).
Fahmi highlighted several benefits of the new port, including its exclusive focus on tuna fishing, meaning tuna vessels will not have to compete for docking space with commercial ships. The port will also offer lower charges, as it will not operate on a commercial basis.
Regarding competition, he said that tuna ships would not need to compete for docking space because the new port would be dedicated solely to tuna landings. It is expected to attract foreign tuna ships due to its user-friendly facilities.
The new port will meet European Union (EU) standards and will include special facilities tailored specifically for tuna fishing, unlike existing ports, which offer general facilities and lack focus on tuna landings.
"According to preliminary data from the Malaysian Fisheries Department, the total tuna landings in Penang last year were 431,000kg, valued at RM7.758mil. The main landing point is currently the Butterworth deep-water wharf," Fahmi said.
He also noted that Malaysian vessels had landed tuna in Mauritius last year, with a total of 4,295,758kg of tuna, including 3,749,478kg from local vessels.
So far this year, the total tuna landings in Penang, including foreign vessels, have reached 1,445,120kg, with an estimated value of RM26mil.
Fahmi believes that with the dedicated tuna port in Bagan Ajam, tuna landings could increase by 30 to 50 per cent within five years of its operation. He also envisions Penang becoming a tuna processing hub, where foreign vessels can land their catch for processing before exporting it to Taiwan or Japan. - Bernama
