SPPP unveils plan for new petroleum terminal, upgrades
GEORGE TOWN: The Northern Petroleum Terminal (NPT) will be developed under the Penang Port master plan currently being drawn up.
Penang Port Commission (SPPP) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the NPT will be constructed at the port installation and will operate as a bulk petroleum storage facility designed to accommodate medium-range class tankers.
He said the NPT will be built alongside the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) expansion, which involves 322.83 hectares of reclaimed land.
'The proposed development of these projects is in line with the Penang Port master plan developed by the SPPP,' he said in a statement today in conjunction with Transport Minister Anthony Loke's visit to Penang Port in Butterworth yesterday.
Yeoh also said the development plan includes infrastructure upgrades at the Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU) ferry terminal, which will be rejuvenated with a modern concept to enhance visitor comfort and satisfaction, ultimately improving operational productivity.
He said the commercial area will have an open-air parking area, a sea-view observatory deck, a food and beverage centre, a garden bridge, and other commercial activities with the potential to attract local and international tourists.
Additionally, he said the extension of the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) will allow Oasis-class cruise ships to dock simultaneously with a maximum capacity of 12,000 passengers.
'Furthermore, ferry services will also be improved with four new ferries and upgrades to the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) and PRTU terminals to improve public transport connectivity,' he added.
Yeoh also said the SPPP has implemented the vessel traffic management system (VTMS), transforming manual traffic control into a more efficient shipping traffic control system to ensure a safer operating environment.
Besides handling cargo imported and exported by sea, he said Penang Port also manages cargo via rail transport, with a 561-metre rail siding capacity at NBCT to handle up to 33 wagons at one time.
He said the federal government has planned to extend the rail siding to 1,051 metres, which will allow 50 wagons to be handled at one time, a project currently being pursued in collaboration with various relevant parties.
Loke was on a one-day working visit to Penang yesterday. He was briefed on the Penang Port development plan, visited the VTMS control tower, and toured the Penang Ferry Museum located at Tanjong City Marina.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Mercedes-Benz's electrified G-Wagon unveiled in Malaysia, prices start at RM959,000
KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has introduced the all-new G 580 with EQ Technology, marking a bold step for the iconic G-Class as it enters the era of electric mobility. Among its standout innovations, the G 580 features individual-wheel drive - the first for any mass-produced Mercedes-Benz model - with four motors delivering a combined 432 kilowatts (kW) or 587 horsepower and 1,164 newton-metres of torque. This setup enables advanced off-road functions such as G-Turn, allowing the vehicle to rotate on the spot, and G-Steering, which reduces the turning circle on loose surfaces, along with an intelligent crawl function for precise control over rough terrain. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia chief executive officer and president Amanda Zhang said the all-new electric G-Class reimagines an icon while staying true to the values that define the German brand. "As we advance toward our ambition to achieve a carbon-neutral new car fleet along the entire value chain by 2039, this marks an important milestone in our journey to lead the transformation of the luxury automotive landscape," she said at the launch here today. Zhang also highlighted that the G 580 is designed for those who want an uncompromised electric off-road experience. Acceleration from 0-100 kilometres per hour (km/h) is achieved in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed limited to 180 km/h. The sport utility vehicle offers a range of up to 473 kilometres according to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure, powered by a 116 kilowatt-hour battery. This is supported by 200 kW direct current (DC) fast charging, which can bring the battery from 10-80 per cent in around 32 minutes. Vice president of marketing and sales Nadia Trimmel said with the all-new G 580, the company offers a fully electric off-road experience without compromise. "We have already seen a huge positive response locally, particularly as the G 580 is priced at about half the cost of an AMG G 63. "Globally, the G-Class registered its highest-ever sales in the fourth quarter last year, with double-digit growth continuing in the first quarter this year following the introduction of the G 580," she said. The G 580 comes with a standard four-year vehicle warranty and a 10-year battery warranty. Buyers will receive a complimentary wallbox package with installation or a charging-ready package valued at RM6,500. Priced from RM958,888, this fully electric SUV blends classic design with groundbreaking technology, while an exclusive Edition One variant starts from RM998,888. The Edition One variant features exclusive blue accents inside and out, blue carbon-fibre trim elements, and special Manufaktur touches. Both models maintain the G-Class's signature angular design, enhanced with features such as a black-panel grille, transparent bonnet camera view, and a rectangular rear design box for storing charging cables.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Trump wants more drones and missiles, fewer F-35s in $893 billion budget request
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump wants a pay raise for troops, more high-tech missiles and drones in next year's defense budget, while cutting Navy jobs, and buying fewer ships and fighter jets to save money, according to budget materials posted Wednesday. At $892.6 billion, the defense and national security budget request is flat compared with this year. The budget, which also includes nuclear weapons-related activities carried out by the Department of Energy and increases funding for homeland security, puts Trump's mark on the military by pulling funds away from weaponry and services to fund his priorities. The White House said the funding will be used to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and revitalize the defense industrial base. Most of the funding for Trump's marquee Golden Dome missile defense shield was included in a separate budget request and is not part of the latest proposal sent to Congress. In the 2026 budget Trump requested fewer F-35 jets made by Lockheed Martin and only three warships. Procurement of a Virginia-class made by General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls Industries and 15 other ships are expected to be included in a separate appropriation bill, the Navy said. The budget asks for a 3.8% pay raise for troops, but also trims costs by retiring older weaponry including ships and planes that are more expensive to operate. Under the plan, the Navy will reduce its civilian employee workforce by 7,286 people. Compared to Biden's budget from his last year in office, which had asked for 68 F-35 jets in fiscal 2025, Trump's fiscal 2026 request seeks only 47 of the fighter jets. The budget has already sparked debate on Capitol Hill where the House Appropriations Committee's Defense subcommittee's draft bill for fiscal-year 2026 boosts the F-35 buy to 69, one more than Biden's 2025 request. The Pentagon continues prioritizing purchasing munitions and key weapons systems. The Air Force is continuing its investment the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range and Long Range Anti-Ship missile which have longer ranges and can be more effective in the Pacific. On the other hand, the budget seeks far fewer Precision Strike Missile, which will replace the Army Tactical Missile (ATACM) used in Ukraine. Lockheed Martin makes all three missiles. The budget also boosts spending on small drones - in part because of lessons learned in Ukraine where unmanned aircraft have proven to be an integral part of low-cost, yet highly effective warfighting. The detailed request comes as Republicans debate defense spending priorities in their sweeping $150 billion defense package contained in the pending "One Big Beautiful Bill Act". The act has already been passed the House of Representatives and will give an initial $25 billion boost to Trump's controversial Golden Dome missile defense shield. Defense spending usually accounts for about half of the U.S. discretionary budget; the rest goes to transportation, education, diplomacy and other departments. (Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; editing by Chris Sanders and Lincoln Feast)
The Star
19-06-2025
- The Star
5% housing discount for all a fair move, say groups
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government's decision to give a 5% housing discount on overhang properties to all house buyers is well received by political parties and associations. Penang MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah, in welcoming the move, said any policy introduced must be grounded in the principle of supporting vulnerable groups, rather than being based on racial or religious distinctions. 'It is vital that the state government exercises prudence and ensures fairness across the board,' he said. He said the state must address the issue of oversupply in the mid-range housing segment with urgency. 'A downward price adjustment may be necessary to better align with the actual needs of the people,' said Yeoh in a statement. 'The 5% housing discount should be strictly reserved for vulnerable and genuinely qualified individuals, as they truly need the assistance,' he added. Yeoh said it must not be misused or allocated indiscriminately to parties who may exploit the opportunity for speculation, thereby inflating property prices further. 'We welcome the state government's willingness to recognise its shortcomings and take corrective action,' he said. Yesterday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state executive council decided to extend the discount to all buyers for a year under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign. He said the discount is limited to developers who registered with the state in the campaign and those registered with the state Housing Board. The Penang government courted controversy earlier when it announced on June 5 that the 5% discount would only be given to Indian Muslims. Penang MIC chief Datuk J. Dhinagaran said the state has made the right move to offer the discount to all rather than one particular community. 'Everyone should benefit from the programme as there are many who haven't bought their first property, and this will be an opportunity for them to purchase one. 'Any policy created should be beneficial to all, which is the most logical thing to do for a fair and equitable society,' added Dhinagaran. Penang Hindu Association president P. Murugiah said every group or community should benefit from housing programmes, and the state government's decision to give a 5% discount to all was most welcome. 'People from B40 and M40 groups should benefit from this programme as many individuals face a lot of hurdles when purchasing their first property. 'This discount will help them save money, which could be used for other purposes such as fees for sales and purchase agreements,' he said.
