PORT KLANG, Aug 23- Malaysia Thursday launched Asia’s biggest and the world’s third largest trailing suction hopper dredger, prompting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to remark that it is a major boost to efforts to transform the country into a developed nation.
The dredger, owned by Malaysia’s largest marine services provider Inai Kiara Sdn Bhd and named Inai Kenanga, was launched by Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, in Pantai Acheh, Pulau Indah, here.
The Inai Kenanga was built at a cost of almost RM1 billion and has a market price of RM1.2 billion. It was built over a period of 30 months and would be fully completed at the end of this year.
The dredger functions as a vacuum cleaner whereby sand or sediment along with sea water is sucked into the hopper through suction pipes.
Built with local expertise and manpower, the dredger has the capacity to carry a load of 33,335 cubic metres in its hopper. It is 200 metres long and 36 metres wide.
The dredger was built at the dock of Selat Melaka Shipbuilding Corporation Sdn Bhd (SMSCSB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inai Kiara, and can achieve a speed of 17 knots with the capacity to dredge up to a depth of 45 metres.
Najib said the initiative to build the dredger, which could be categorised as a high-impact project, was in tandem with the country’s economic transformation programme.
He said the maritime sector, particularly the segment involving the construction and maintenance of vessels, was an industry which the government gave priority to.
“It is absolutely unthinkable that a local company can produce a vessel that is recognised as the largest in Asia and the third biggest in the world.
“Today, what we never thought possible can become reality in the form of such a large vessel, a vessel that can be our pride,” he said.
Najib said such a large vessel would provide employment opportunities for many young people, not only in operating it but also in marketing their expertise abroad.
“Surely such a large vessel will require great expertise. Inai Kiara has trained its workers in a field that demands high specialisation.
“I am made to understand that such specialisation can demand an income of up to RM80,000 per month in the world market, and some of those trained by this company have secured such lucrative jobs abroad,” he said.
Najib said work to deepen the port area and such could be carried out more efficiently with the use of such a large dredger.
“Inai Kiara can also bid for projects internationally by offering competitive prices. I am sure this company has a great future,” he said.
– BERNAMA
