KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 15): Johor Port Bhd, a subsidiary of MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd, has inked a preliminary agreement with PT Pelabuhan Indonesia I (Pelindo I) to collaborate on shipping connectivity between Pelindo I's ports in Sumatera/Aceh in Indonesia, and MMC Group's ports in Peninsular Malaysia.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked today in Johor Bahru, both ports will also establish roll on, roll off activities in those ports. 

Other than Johor Port, MMC Group's ports comprise: the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Northport (Malaysia), Penang Port, and Tanjung Bruas Port in Melaka.

With the MoU, both ports will explore potential cooperation and other opportunities in Port and Logistics business such as Operation & Management approach on existing and new port development, and joint collaboration on new port development, according to Johor Port in a statement today.

"Johor Port is part of Malaysia’s largest port operator and holds various expertise in ports management with over 40 years’ experience. Collaboration with Peliondo I serves as a catalyst that will enhance the development and further quality improvement efforts in our port operations, competencies and efficiencies, alongside other international players, in line with Johor Port’s vision to become the most efficient and integrated multi-purpose port in the region,” said Johor Port chairman Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.

The milestone today further strengthens the synergy between Pelindo I and MMC Ports, which, according to Johor Port, not only covers the provision of strategic logistics collaboration, but also encompasses a synergistic collaboration in sharing Johor Port’s experience and expertise in port management and operations with Pelindo I in the areas of port training services, consultation on container and conventional operations, collaboration on inter port logistics services; and a sister port partnership programme.

"Under the Sister Port Partnership program, JPB and MMC Ports will also develop joint marketing activities with the Pelindo I ports to further enhance feeder service to the Indonesian Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and Singapore-Johore-Riau (SIJORI). These marketing activities will encourage trading of commodities and cargo consolidation activities in Johor," the statement added.