First M'sia-Indonesia RORO shipping service ready by year-end

JOHOR BARU: Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi said Tanjung Bruas Port in Malacca will construct the Roll on Roll Off (RORO) infrastructure on its ships to start RORO services to the Dumai Port of Riau, Indonesia by year-end.
The deputy minister revealed this after he witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Johor Port Berhad (JPB) and PT Pelabuhan Indonesia I (PELINDO I ) on the Strategic Logistics collaboration between both ports to establish RORO activities and shipping connectivity between ports.
He said RORO provides cheaper and more efficient service when compared to traditional barter trade services.
Under the RORO concept, the ferry can be loaded with 20 lorries and a certain amount of cars.
"It can transport perishable goods such as vegetables, and people can also travel with their cars once the facilities are ready," he added.
The project is estimated to cost RM10 million.
"The RORO services may take off by the end of the year if everything goes smoothly as our counterpart, Dumai Port, already has RORO facilities," Ab Aziz said, adding that he will visit Dumai Port in the near future.
He said the concept is similar to the RORO services between Kuala Kedah and Langkawi.
Tanjung Bruas Port will be the first Malaysia-Indonesia RORO service, as such, the Marine Department and Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) services are needed for security purposes.
He said if the service is successful, the next RORO service port will be between Penang and Lhokseumawe port in Aceh.