17-07-2025
Samalaju Port pioneers Smart Barrier Gates in major step toward fully automated operations
Majang (centre) cuts the ribbon to launch the event, as Ruslan (fourth right) and others look on.
SAMALAJU (July 17): Samalaju Industrial Port Sdn Bhd (SIPSB) leads the way as Sarawak's first seaport terminal to implement Smart Barrier Gates powered by cutting-edge technology, said Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad president and chief executive officer Ruslan Abdul Ghani.
This achievement marked a significant milestone in the digital transformation of Bintulu Port Group, Ruslan said during the official launch of Smart Barrier Gates on Wednesday.
'This is one of the low-hanging fruits from our digital agenda and a reflection of our commitment to technological excellence and operational efficiency,' he added.
The event was officiated by Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Dato Majang Renggi.
He said the Smart Barrier Gate System, a key part of SIPSB's push towards automation and digitalisation, is designed to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and security at the port's entry points.
The system integrates four core technologies into a single seamless ecosystem.
'The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) will automatically read and interpret container numbers, eliminating manual input and reducing processing time by up to 80 per cent,' he said.
According to Ruslan, the Artificial Image Recording (AIR) uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to boost the accuracy of cargo identification, ensuring compliance with international standards.
While the License Plate Recognition (LPR) enables secure, automated vehicle access for a smoother user experience, the fourth feature – Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) – enhances access control through secure, automated user identification.
'This achievement represents our unwavering commitment to innovation and our vision of creating a truly smart port environment that will set new standards – and this is just the first step,' Ruslan said.
He also revealed that the Smart Barrier Gate System is only the beginning of a broader digital transformation roadmap for Bintulu Port Group.
Ruslan said upcoming initiatives include the Port Operating System (POS), Smart CCTV with AI capability, nested drones, Digital Tally, and a next-generation Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS).
'Ultimately, we are going to have an Integrated Operation Centre (IOC),' he added.
Ruslan also emphasised the port's vision to implement full-fledged automation, an initiative that no other port in Malaysia has fully undertaken.
He said a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the group to implement the automation further cements their path towards making this a reality.
'This creates an intelligent port environment that enhances our security protocols, improves our service delivery to valued customers and stakeholders, and positions us at the forefront of logistics innovation,' he explained.
'As digitalisation becomes increasingly vital in global trade, the steps taken by Samalaju Industrial Port and by extension Bintulu Port Group, solidify their position as regional leaders in technological innovation and operational excellence, paving the way for future advancements in Sarawak's maritime sector and beyond.' AI automation Samalaju Industrial Port Smart Barrier Gates
