Energy & Technology

KUALA LUMPUR: Port of Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd (PTP), a joint venture between the MMC Group and the Netherlands-based APM Terminals, signed an agreement with Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co Ltd (ZPMC) to purchase five ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) Quay cranes. PTP chairman Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh expressed his confidence in the partnership, highlighting ZPMC’s well-established reputation in port equipment manufacturing. He emphasised the strategic significance of the acquisition, stating that these advanced cranes represent a critical step in PTP’s ongoing commitment to delivering best-in-class capabilities and services to its customers and all other stakeholders. “This latest investment in equipment emphasises PTP’s dedication to efficiently handle the rising volume of containerised cargo at its terminal, ultimately strengthening regional trade dynamics,” Che Khalib said in statement. The agreement was formalised during a ceremony held at PTP, with PTP chief executive officer Mark Hardiman and ZPMC’s vice president Celilia Shen presiding over the signing. Hardiman reiterated the importance of this purchase within PTP’s comprehensive equipment modernisation strategy. “The acquisition of these five ULCV quay cranes symbolises a significant capacity expansion and upgrade of our equipment and facilities. “This development marks a crucial advancement in PTP’s steadfast dedication to prioritising customer satisfaction by delivering enhanced capabilities and services. “These technologically advanced machines will substantially augment PTP’s ability to enhance terminal efficiency and port-related activities, effectively managing the escalating volume of containerised cargo and facilitating swift and seamless regional trade while upholding the highest safety standards,” he said. Hardiman said while PTP fortifies its operational capabilities, the port remains firmly committed to its sustainability goals. He said the acquisition of these new cranes adheres to standards and guidelines that align with PTP’s adherence to the Paris Agreement and commitment to environmentally responsible practices. He added that PTP’s ongoing efforts to achieve a targeted 45 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 remain a critical aspect of its sustainability agenda. Shen conveyed ZPMC’s appreciation for PTP’s trust and affirmed their commitment to the timely delivery of the equipment. She expressed the company’s pride in partnering with PTP and emphasised ZPMC’s dedication to delivering innovative and reliable port equipment solutions. ZPMC is China’s largest and the world’s largest manufacturer of cranes and large steel structures. PTP is Malaysia’s busiest transhipment hub that can handle 13 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually. The port delivers reliable, efficient, and advanced services to major shipping lines and box operators, providing shippers in Malaysia and abroad with extensive connectivity to the global market. PTP is currently ranked 15th among the world’s top container ports in terms of throughput.

KUALA LUMPUR: ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, has moved into its new purpose-built maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur. This internationally certified MRO facility reinforces Malaysia’s position as a regional MRO centre and highlights Asia’s importance as a growing business aviation market. ExecuJet MRO Services regional vice president Asia Ivan Lim said the benefit of having a purpose-built MRO facility that includes new features to support MRO activity, such as a built-in overhead crane for aircraft engine changes, can be future-proofed. “We also designed the hangar and workshops to optimise the workflow through the facility. “The 105,000-ft 2 hangar can accommodate up to 15 medium and large business jets simultaneously, including the ultra-large-cabin Dassault Falcon 6X and Falcon 10X. “Our previous facility at Subang Airport was smaller, and the hangar was originally designed for aircraft undercover parking,” he said in a statement. The 149,500-ft two MRO centre, the largest business aviation maintenance facility at Subang Airport, also includes workshops, storage space, offices for staff and customers, training rooms as well as rest areas. This purpose-built facility offers customers the full suite of MRO services, from line maintenance and aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support to heavy maintenance checks, cabin interior refurbishments, satcom installations, avionics upgrades and other advanced modifications. The aircraft types covered are those from Dassault Aviation, Bombardier, and Gulfstream. “The business aviation industry in Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, has witnessed strong growth, driving demand for MRO services. “The larger, purpose-built facility at Subang Airport allows us to cater to the growth in the business aviation market and expand our MRO capabilities,” said Lim. The new hangar’s energy-saving design elements include large windows that allow for more natural light, LED lighting, high-volume, low-speed overhead fans for cooling, an 85kW rooftop solar system, and water tanks for harvesting rainwater. ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia is certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the US FAA, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and other national civil aviation regulators worldwide. In a separate development, EASA and the US FAA have certified ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia will perform line maintenance and provide AOG support for Falcon 6X aircraft throughout the region.

KUALA LUMPUR: BJAK Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s leading digital insurance platform, has launched its RM150 million free road tax program, set to transform how people renew road tax in Malaysia. It will provide all Malaysians with the chance to renew their motorcycle and car road tax for free, backed by an allocation of RM150 million to support the campaign’s success. Since its establishment, BJAK has been at the forefront of digital innovation in the automotive industry. With millions of transactions completed, BJAK has earned its reputation as a reliable and efficient service provider. The pledge of RM150 million to subsidise vehicle owners’ road tax renewals for free through the BJAK platform has commenced since March 2024. This is a bold step forward in the company’s mission to drive digital adoption and streamline administrative processes for the people of Malaysia. This initiative is expected to benefit over 6 million users across Malaysia, providing them unparalleled ease and accessibility in renewing their road tax obligations. “As a technology-driven company, we are committed to accelerating the digitalisation of Malaysia, and this initiative perfectly aligns with our vision,” BJAK vice president of marketing  Mandy Foong said in a statement. “This significant investment aims to encourage more Malaysians to embrace digital solutions for road tax renewal, accessing the benefits of digitalisation with simplicity, choice, and convenience,” she said. The program is not only in line with the government’s MyRoadTax digitisation efforts but also supports Malaysia’s broader agenda for digital transformation. By promoting online renewal, BJAK aims to reduce the need for physical visits to renewal centres, thereby cutting down on queues and increasing overall efficiency. In addition to the free renewal offer, BJAK is also addressing the financial concerns of vehicle owners by providing an insurance renewal instalment plan. This plan allows customers to spread their payments over 12 months, making the process more accessible and manageable for everyone. Furthermore, this campaign is a testament to BJAK’s commitment to environmental sustainability. By reducing the need for paper-based transactions and physical travel, the initiative contributes to a greener, more sustainable future. In line with the national push for digitalisation, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) recently introduced a digital road tax system, allowing vehicle owners to share their e-LKM (electronic road tax) with other drivers through the MyJPJ app. This initiative further simplifies the process for vehicle owners and aligns with the government’s vision of digitalising services JPJ provides. The RM150 million free road tax program is not just about saving money, it’s about moving together into a more digital and efficient future. As part of the campaign, BJAK will leverage engaging gamification techniques to enhance user participation and ensure a rewarding experience. Through modern technology, BJAK is poised to revolutionise the insurance and road tax renewal process and set new benchmarks for digital service delivery in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR: The demand for internet bandwidth has reached new highs, with a 20 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase from 2022 to 2023. Malaysia Internet Exchange (MyIX) said that demand reached its highest at 2.311 TeraBits (Tbps) per second in the past year, a positive surge from the 1.938 Tbps peak in 2022, the highest ever recorded since its establishment in 2006. “Our findings indicate that there has been a significant rise in online activities throughout the country,” said MyIX chairman Chiew Kok Hin. MyIX, an initiative under the Malaysian Communications Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is the country’s largest internet exchange. Its mission is to enhance Malaysia’s internet infrastructure by empowering members to exchange traffic and optimise network performance. In response to this growing demand, the MyIX committee has decided to reduce its port pricing to offer more benefits to its members. Effective April 1, 2024, this new pricing strategy will see reductions ranging from 10-20 per cent off the current rates. Specifically, the cost for a 1Gbps port will be lowered to RM400 per month (down from RM500), a 10Gbps port will be reduced to RM1,600 per month (previously RM2,000), and a 100Gbps port will now be RM7,200 monthly (previously RM8,000). “The revision in MyIX’s pricing positions us as one of the region’s most affordable – if not the most affordable – internet exchanges,” said Chiew. He was speaking after concluding MyIX’s annual general meeting which was also attended by MCMC head of technology development Mohamed Hakim Othman. “Active peering members bring value to the IX community, which supports Malaysia’s goal to improve internet speed, affordability and access, contributing to a digitally inclusive society,” said Chiew. “Through strategic pricing adjustments, MyIX has further strengthened Malaysia’s role in the regional digital economy, promoting growth and innovation at all levels,” he said. MyIX is also reinforcing its commitment to nurturing local talent. As part of its various corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the exchange recently hosted a free training programme to empower selected individuals with the knowledge and expertise much needed in today’s digital economy, particularly regarding network infrastructure. Furthermore, MyIX’s effort to build a skilled workforce is extended through the MyIX Fellowship Programme, which offers fellowships to member organisation staff to attend workshops at the annual Asia Pacific Regional Internet Conference on Operational Technologies (APRICOT) conference. This initiative, which commenced this month with the APRICOT 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, focused on critical areas like IPv6 Deployment and Internet Routing/RPKI. These initiatives reflect MyIX’s strategic approach to enhancing industry-related skills, ensuring the Malaysian internet sector remains at the forefront of technological advancements.

KUALA LUMPUR: British multinational aerospace and defence company Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc has supplied and commissioned four of its mtu Kinetic PowerPacks to X-FAB Sarawak. X-FAB Sarawak is the Malaysian division of X-FAB Silicon Foundries, a leading foundry group for specialty semiconductor applications. The dynamic uninterruptible power supply (DUPS) units secure the critical power load for operations at the company’s manufacturing site in Kuching, Sarawak. mtu Kinetic PowerPacks are engineered to perform seamlessly under the most demanding power supply challenges. They provide immediate, high-quality power through the use of kinetic energy. The units eliminate the need for batteries as in a standard UPS configuration, offer a much smaller footprint, and are environmentally friendly due to their 20+ year equipment life and ability to run on sustainable fuels such as HVO. “Being secure in the knowledge that the power supply is reliable and of the highest quality, even during times of grid instability or interruption, is important for any business but is especially vital for a company such as X-FAB Sarawak, which has a consistent, high-level output of critical products and supports many employees and corporate functions,” Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia Pte Ltd project manager Bryan Foo said in a statement. The X-FAB site in Kuching manufactures semiconductor wafers for automotive, industrial, and medical applications. It has over 1,400 employees and a wide range of operations, such as finance and procurement. The four installed mtu Kinetic PowerPacks feature a medium voltage, parallel system configuration offering 2000 kVA (1600kW). They replace older, existing DUPS units from a different manufacturer that were experiencing ongoing issues with dropping critical load from the mains. In normal operation, when the public power supply is working, the mtu Kinetic PowerPacks use a choke – a heavy, rotating electromagnetic coil – to compensate for the power grid’s short-term current and voltage fluctuations. The Kinetic PowerPacks also come with an MTU ValueCare service agreement, which provides preventative maintenance at regular intervals and technical support to ensure maximum performance. Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia Pte Ltd project engineer Elvenrey Rios said the company’s project team upheld X-FAB’s strong safety culture, product quality and user-friendly equipment throughout the process. “The reliable critical load support provided by the current mtu Kinetic PowerPacks has also resulted in the customer engaging Rolls-Royce for an additional unit,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: SMTrack Bhd has established a partnership with Straits Millennium Sdn Bhd (SMSB), a facility management service provider for digital economy initiatives for rural communities in Malaysia This partnership signifies the beginning of a collaborative effort to transform rural community centres in Malaysia by implementing digital economy initiatives as part of the Smart Village Program. Both companies will form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to tender for projects under the Smart Village Program project. The investment reflects both parties’ commitment to this venture, with SMTrack holding a 60 per cent stake and SMSB holding 40 per cent. SMSB operates in the support services sector, which comprises construction, facility management, information and technology (IT) infrastructure, energy, oil and gas, marine, and general trading. SMTrack deputy executive chairman Datuk Azmi Osman said the joint venture between SMTrack and SMSB is a strategic move to leverage the company’s combined technology and facility management strengths. “Our goal is to ensure that the rural communities of Malaysia can enjoy the benefits of the digital economy, thus bridging the urban-rural divide,” he said in a statement. This collaboration aligns with the government’s initiative, Dasar Pembangunan Luar Bandar 2030 (DPLB), launched in June 2019. DPLB aims to prepare rural communities for local and global challenges and, more importantly, accelerate transformation in rural Malaysia by 2030. The Smart Village Projects aims to provide rural communities with high-speed internet access and digital technologies, enhancing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities through digital marketplaces and smart farming. SMTrack’s non-independent non-executive director Datuk Zaidi Hashim said this venture is a significant step forward for SMTrack and a testament to the immense potential of digitising rural Malaysia. “By empowering these communities with digital tools and infrastructure, we are not only enhancing their quality of life but also unlocking new economic prospects for the nation,” he said. As agreed by both parties, the formation of the SPV underscores their dedication to the successful execution and management of the project. With a strategic allocation of resources and expertise, this joint venture is poised to significantly contribute to the digital empowerment of Malaysia’s rural community centres, paving the way for a brighter, more connected future. SMSB chief strategy officer Norresah Abu Samah said the company’s collaboration is a testament to its shared vision of empowering rural communities through innovative digital solutions. “Together, we are set to make a tangible difference in the lives of Malaysia’s rural population,” she said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Group’s automotive unit, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), has launched Ford Assured, a programme offering certified pre-owned Ford models. This is part of the company’s commitment to continuously enhance the customer experience. The Ford Assured programme is a comprehensive assurance and certification effort aimed at instilling confidence among customers who consider purchasing pre-owned Ford vehicles. The Ford Assured programme is a meticulous inspection and certification process that ensures pre-owned Ford cars meet stringent quality and performance standards. This programme is tailored to enhance customers’ overall pre-owned car buying experience, reinforcing Ford’s commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. The programme entails stringent vehicle standards, requiring pre-owned Ford vehicles to be below five years old or have mileage below 140,000km for Ranger and 80,000km for Everest, with a comprehensive full-service history. Moreover, a meticulous 96-point inspection conducted by certified technicians ensures that every facet of the pre-owned Ford vehicle, from mechanical performance to cosmetic appearance, meets the highest standards. Furthermore, specific refurbishment standards ensure the refurbishment process is executed professionally, promoting consistency and quality across all certified pre-owned Ford vehicles. Sime Darby Motors managing director Southeast Asia Jeffrey Gan said that despite the growing demand in Malaysia’s pre-owned vehicle segment, the company remains steadfast in its dedication to meeting consumer needs. “Reflecting our trusted reputation across the automotive sector, the Ford Assured Programme mirrors Sime Darby Motors’ relentless pursuit of setting industry benchmarks and enhancing the overall automotive experience,” he said in a statement. The Ford Assured Programme offers a minimum 12-month warranty covering the engine and gearbox, subject to terms and conditions. These conditions include requiring the vehicle’s mileage to be below 140,000km for Ranger, 80,000km for Everest and below 5 years old. Additionally, the warranty stipulates that vehicle parts must not be replaced or modified by third parties and must be serviced, maintained, and repaired by authorised Ford dealers at recommended service intervals. SDAC managing director Turse Zuhair said with the introduction of the Ford Assured Programme, the company has elevated the pre-owned vehicle landscape. “Demonstrating our commitment to delivering unparalleled quality and customer satisfaction, the programme is a testament to our rigorous standards in customer assurance, providing a trusted solution for those searching for a reliable and high-quality pre-owned Ford vehicle,” he said. This offering from SDAC is currently available at the Ford Ara Damansara showroom.