KUALA LUMPUR: Tanco Holdings Bhd (THB), through its 79 per cent owned subsidiary Midports Holdings Sdn Bhd (MHSB), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CCCC Dredging (Group) Co Ltd (CCCC Dredging), a subgroup of China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), to develop Malaysia’s first smart artificial intelligence (AI) container port in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.
According to the agreement, MHSB has obtained approval from the Ministry of Transport Malaysia to develop a port in Port Dickson, aptly named Smart AI Container Port.
This initiative aims to inject new vitality into the local economy and international trade, enhancing the region’s port services.
The construction of this port will contribute to Malaysia’s goal of establishing a modern and efficient port hub, accelerating economic development in Negeri Sembilan and bolstering Malaysia’s global trade position.
This development follows the joint venture agreement announced on February 27, 2024, between MHSB and Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan (Perbadanan) (MBINS) for the reclamation works necessary for the project.
THB group managing director Datuk Sri Andrew Tan Juan Suan said this collaboration with CCCC Dredging marks a pivotal step towards realising the company’s vision of a world-class port in Port Dickson.
“The expertise and resources brought by CCCC Dredging will ensure the successful implementation of this project, which is set to drive economic growth and create job opportunities in the region,” he said in a statement.
Established in May 2015 in Shanghai, CCCC Dredging is a specialised sub-group of China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), the world’s leading comprehensive service provider for ultra-large infrastructure.
CCCC Dredging is the largest marine engineering company globally.
It is committed to becoming a world-class dredging, eco-environmental, and marine industry group with global competitiveness in technology, management, and quality.
With over 10,000 employees, registered capital of 11.7 billion renminbi (approximately RM7.6 billion), and total assets exceeding 100 billion renminbi (approximately RM64.8 billion), CCCC Dredging leads the world in dredging fleet scale and advancement.
It operates nearly 200 vessels with an annual dredging capacity exceeding 800 million cubic meters.
Notable projects include the Tianjin Port, Yangshan Deep Water Port, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
Its parent company, CCCC, is listed in Hong Kong and Shanghai and has a market capitalisation of approximately RM80 billion.
The Smart AI Container Port project promises significant economic benefits to the local economy.
With a 480-acre landbank owned by THB and natural deep water access exceeding 21 meters, the port will accommodate the largest container ships in the world, enhancing Malaysia’s maritime capabilities and creating new industrial zones.
CCCC Dredging chairman Liu Yongman said the company’s combined expertise with THB and resources will pave the way for a port to boost Malaysia’s maritime infrastructure and set new operational efficiency and environmental sustainability standards.
“We are committed to bringing our best capabilities to this strategic initiative and look forward to a successful collaboration,” he said.
The Smart AI Container Port will incorporate technologies to optimise logistics, enhance operational efficiency, and minimise environmental impact.
This development will improve maritime logistics for transhipment and gateway containers and contribute to the development of industrial hubs, fostering economic growth in Negeri Sembilan.
