PENANG Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) has identified several key recovery strategies to grow its port business during the Covid-19 pandemic.
PPSB chief executive officer Sasedharan Vasudevan told Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow that the first strategy was to attract and aggressively promote a vessel lay-up within the Penang Port limit which includes all terminals under PPSB.
Chow visited the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) in Butterworth today together with state Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh.
Also present were state Domestic and International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development Committee Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage (PETACH) Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud.
Present to welcome them besides Sasedharan were Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng and PPSB corporate communications act head (CEO’s office) Khairol Ikram Salamat.
“The second strategy is to promote and generate new income from long storage of import empty at NBCT yard with a special offer mechanism.
“We also plan to approach main fibreboard shippers in south Thailand such as Panel Plus Company Limited that are using Songkhla Port currently to divert their cargo to Penang by introducing an incentive such as free storage period or special handling rate, warehouse space and others.
“Next, we want to work as a group to give berth priority for main line operators to enhance more volumes and call activities at all ports under MMC Corp Berhad.
“Lastly, there will be a group incentive signing with main line operators as this will create a value to customers and allow them to increase more load and discharge volume within all ports under MMC Corp Berhad,” Sasedharan added.
According to Sasedharan, he is confident and hopeful that all the five key recovery strategies listed would be able to recover or lessen the financial impact faced by PPSB due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continue adhering to the strict guidelines set by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“The steps we take include conducting body temperature check at all port entrances, practising social distancing at all port facilities, providing face masks to all our employees, and observing other preventive measures to keep our workers safe.
“And we are grateful that until today, there has been not a single Covid-19 positive case detected among our workers.
“PPSB also has taken additional efforts to disinfect all of the terminal buildings and structures to prevent the spreading of the virus,” he said.
Chow commended such efforts taken by PPSB management for coming out with their own recovery strategies without waiting for the state government to step in.
“I understand that it is not easy to operate during these challenging times since the country’s borders are still closed and the same goes to our neighbouring countries. Thus, this affects the company’s operation.
“But, please know that the state government is always here to help all the affected sectors to regain their pace and rebuild the state economy together,” Chow said.
He also thanked the company for ensuring that their employees are always protected through the strict guidelines and preventive measures taken to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Chow and his entourage were later taken on a tour of the NBCT Control Tower to know more about the port operation.
After that, they visited the Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth.
The visit was to observe the ferry operation during the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
Present to welcome them was RapidFerry head Osman Amir.
According to Osman, the company currently has reduced the number of ferries to two with the frequency from 20 minutes to 30 minutes due to the low amount of passengers.
“The majority of Penangites also are still working from home and thus it could also be the reason for the drop.
“We are also still struggling in terms of the operation cost but we are doing our best to optimise our services,” he said.
Osman said the company has taken the necessary steps to prevent the spread of Covid-19 such as constantly cleaning and sanitising all ferries and terminals and continuously educating staff and customers on the importance of social distancing and other preventive measures.
Finally, Chow and his team were taken on a ferry ride to the Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal in Weld Quay to take a closer look at the standard operating procedure (SOP) taken by the management.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis