Rajang Port Authority records 6.7 pct increase in throughput in first 5 months of 2024, says chairman

SIBU (July 18): The throughput handled at the Rajang Port Authority (RPA) wharves recorded an increase of 6.7 per cent in the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year, said RPA chairman Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum.

Hoping that the authority will continue to do well until the end of the year, he said he was glad to acknowledge that the Authority had picked up its throughput this year, as the world economy continues to recover.

“In 2022, the Authority saw a 5.8 per cent surge of cargo being handled at its premises compared to the volume in 2021, as customers still continue to stock up goods in the face of the uncertainty experienced during the pandemic.

“In 2023 the world economy experienced heightening of prices of especially raw materials worldwide arising from the limited resources created during the (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Prices of goods, not only raw materials, had surged up by eight per cent. This increase in prices worldwide had also affected the Authority’s throughput which had decreased 5.5 per cent compared to 2022.

“As the world economy continues to recover, I am glad to acknowledge that the Authority had picked up its throughput in 2024. In the first five months of 2024, the throughput handled at the Authority’s wharves recorded an increase of 6.7 per cent over the same period in 2023,” said Salang at RPA’s annual dinner here on Wednesday.

Commenting further, Salang said, as the chairman of the Board, he has seen RPA having a steadfast grip in its operations and finances amidst the unrelenting turbulent waves of Covid-19 these past years.

The pandemic and the years succeeding had seen the world facing weakening markets and commodity prices experiencing their record lows, he added.

“This was also a time when industries such as shipping and transportation have been faced with such challenges and are truly tested.

“I am happy that Rajang Port Authority was able to prevail over the pandemic.

“In the last two years especially, we have all seen a gradual global recovery from the pandemic. Rajang Port Authority in this instance shared similar experience,” he said.

Earlier, Salang delved into the background of RPA.

RPA acting general manager Hayati Kiprawi was among those present.