Malaysian ports worried by Singapore reclamation works

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Malaysian port authorities warned today that Singapore's land reclamation drive in waters separating the two countries was hurting their shipping activities.

Malaysia has expressed fears the project in the Tebrau Strait is too close to its border and could obstruct its plan to become a regional shipping hub to rival neighbouring Singapore's port.

Port authorities in Johor complained the reclamation programme was obstructing the smooth navigation of ships through the narrow sea lane.

"Right now, we can already see some effects. When the reclamation works are completed, I fear business at our ports will be greatly affected," a Johor state official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Port authorities were closely monitoring changes in the water flow and results from a preliminary Malaysian study on the consequences of the works was due to be released in May, he said.

The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), one of the largest ports in the world, emerged as a viable alternative to Singapore after Evergreen Marine Corporation moved its Southeast Asian transit centre in January from the tiny republic to Johor.

'Within rights'

Shipping industry players say Evergreen's shift, which followed a similar move last year by Danish freight line Maersk Sealand, has placed Malaysia as a challenger to Singapore's dominance among regional container ports.

Singapore insists the project is entirely within its territorial waters and in line with international law.

Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said during a visit to Kuala Lumpur last week that the land reclamation work was "within (Singapore's) rights".

But the shallower sea bed has endangered passing ships, said Mohamad Razali Mohamad Ali, general manager of the Johor Port Authority.

"Because the water is more choppy, ships have to slow down and be more careful," he was quoted as saying by The Star daily.

"That would make us less competitive," he said.

Near misses

Vessels approaching the PTP and the Pasir Gudang port have had near-misses with barges carrying sand for the Singaporean reclamation works, Malaysia's Bernama news agency said.

Transport Minister Dr Ling Liong Sik said that once the study was completed, Malaysia would submit a note to Singapore.

"It is not in the interest of bilateral ties to do something which will affect another country," Ling was quoted as saying Sunday.

Ties between the neighbours have been erratic since Singapore was ejected from the Malaysian federation to become an independent state in 1965.

Water supplies from Malaysia to the resource-poor island state, a proposed bridge linking the countries and the use of Malaysian airspace by Singaporean aircraft are among other bones of contention.



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