News
Johor Port upbeat on marine centre
23 November 2012 - The Star
JOHOR BARU: Johor Port plans to establish a permanent offshore inspection, maintenance and repair centre (OIMR) for the benefit of regional oil and gas industry players.
Its chief executive officer Shahrull Allam Shah Abdul Halim said the presence of the Johor Port OIMR was a step-up from the activities that had been undertaken on an ad-hoc basis at the port since early 2000.
"We intend to establish a dedicated area for the OIMR activity. There will also be a workshop component and special contractor offering the overall OIMR package. It will be like a one-stop centre. "The potential for this service is very wide. The growth (of the industry) is also very rapid. With the right facilities, we are confident, the plan will have a positive impact on company revenue," he told Bernama.
He said Johor Port had an advantage as it was situated in a strategic location, close to the South China Sea, which is seeing aggressive oil and gas drilling activities.
"Johor Port's location at Pasir Gudang is also strategic as well as safe from the aspect of natural disasters, which is also a factor in making it the OIMR centre of choice in the region," he added.
Shahrull said Johor Port's efforts through the Johor Port OIMR would also assist Johor and the country in realising the aim of becoming the centre for the oil and gas industry in the region.
"Johor Port's duty-free status will give it an added advantage as clients are free to bring in specific equipment for OIMR activities without being taxed," he said.
He said the decision to develop the OIMR was part of the overall five-year development and modernisation plan for the multi-purpose port.
Johor Port is reported to be spending RM500mil to implement the five-year development and modernisation plan from 2011.
Shahrull said the focus of the OIMR service to be offered by Johor Port would include inspection, maintenance and repairs of various facilities as well as equipment in the oil and gas industry.
"It will extend to operators of oil rigs as well as its network of ships and supply boats, as well as floating production storage and offloading vessels," he added.
Singapore has at present an offshore marine centre at Jurong Port which functions as a maintenance centre for off-shore vessels and equipment.
According to Shahrull, about 70% of regional oil and gas related companies undertake OIMR activities using the facilities in Singapore. - Bernama