Chinese firms to help Malaysia build deepwater port

PowerChina International, Shenzhen Yantian Port Group and Rizhao Port Group will jointly develop the $1.9m port in the Strait, which is used by up to 100,000 vessels per year.

Malaysian firm and the main tender for the port project, KAJ Development said the port will be designed as a liquid cargo terminal, and will have storage facilities for petroleum, chemical products and vegetable oil, among more.

KAJ Development added that the waterway will be 25 m-30 m deep – ideal for accommodating large ships.

The construction of the deepsea port is part of the larger Melaka Gateway Project that China and Malaysia signed last month, which will also cover the development of the island of Pulau Melaka into a maritime activities centre including a bulk container terminal, ship repair services and a maritime industrial park.

The Melaka Gateway Project is slated to be complete in 2025 while the deepsea port is scheduled for completion six years earlier, in 2019.