KUCHING: The RM397million federal-funded dredging works on the Sarawak River is 95 percent completed.
The project, which began in November 2017, was initially scheduled for completion November last year.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances and the Covid-19 pandemic, the project was rescheduled for completion Nov 15 this year, said Kuching Port Authority (KPA) in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 14).
According to KPA, the project aimed to improve the shipping passage along the Sarawak River by providing a navigational channel of nine metres draught.
“This will benefit the shipping community with time and cost savings and better navigational safety.
“To complement the federal government’s project, the Sarawak government has also approved the implementation of a Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) to manage the vessel traffic along the Sarawak River.”
Meanwhile, last Tuesday, Federal Transport Deputy Minister Hasbi Habibollah inspected the work progress aboard the dredging vessel.
Accompanying him were KPA chairman Datuk Awang Bemee Pengiran Ali Basah, KPA general manager Robert Lau,Sarawak Marine Department director Mohd Marzuki Brahim and Marine principal assistant director Kasdi Pulai.
