Sarawak announced plans to develop the Tanjung Embang deep-sea port to reach a regional market of 700 million ASEAN residents. The port will feature a berth depth of 13 to 16 metres and be located about 20 kilometres offshore to accommodate larger vessels, state officials said [1, 2].
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg spoke at the Kuching Port Authority’s 65th Anniversary Dinner on May 15. He said Sarawak’s central location within ASEAN and proximity to China, Hong Kong, and South Korea give it a competitive trade advantage. "We are in the middle of 11 countries in ASEAN, so the market we are targeting is not just 2.8 million residents but 700 million ASEAN residents," he said. "We are capable of serving that 700 million market because other ports are located further away, whereas we are right in the middle of this region" [1].
The new port will eventually take over operations from the existing Senari Port, which has limited capacity to handle anticipated cargo growth. "So Senari will move further out later on, where they will relocate way out at sea," Abang Johari added [2].
Alongside the new port, Sarawak is encouraging its ports to adopt digitalisation and automation. This includes implementing seamless operational systems with digital documentation and real-time data exchange to speed up cargo clearance and improve efficiency [1, 2].
Sarawak’s current population is 2.8 million, but officials see the state’s strategic location as key to becoming a major regional logistics hub. The development aims to strengthen its role in the ASEAN trade network and connect closely to nearby key economies.
The Tanjung Embang deep-sea port is expected to begin construction soon, with operations planned to ramp up as the Senari Port transition takes place. The government has yet to announce exact timelines for completion and full relocation of port activities.
