BY Lyna Mohamad

With exceptional geographical and climate attributes, Brunei Bay is one of the best anchorage grounds with excellent security record and reputation. With robust promotion, the Brunei Bay Southern Anchorage facility will be well-known in the region.

It will not only capture the interests of regional players but also create complementary business opportunities.

These were said by Acting Chief Executive of Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) Captain Abdul Mateen Abdurrahman Liew @ Martin during the agreement signing ceremony between the port authority and Amarco Services Sdn Bhd for the management and operation of Brunei Bay Southern Anchorage as well as World Maritime Day 2022 celebration at Indera Kayangan Ballroom, The Empire Brunei in Jerudong.

The acting chief executive said the event marked a significant milestone for the shipping community as it strengthened cooperation to enhance operations and services in the industry.

He said it will turn a part of Brunei’s territorial waters into a parking area for idle offshore fleets to allow vessel owners to lay up for a relatively long period.

The MPABD and Amarco Services will cooperate in managing the anchorage facility beginning June 2023.

Captain Abdul Mateen said the Sultanate as a member state of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will illuminate buildings in blue and green lights as a sign of unity with the maritime community and raise awareness on the contribution of shipping industry to the world.

This year’s World Maritime Day celebration is themed ‘New Technologies for Greener Shipping’ to put a spotlight on the role of emerging technologies to support a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable industry.

“I am pleased to announce, with the consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge and the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge will also be illuminated. I hope the support from the highest level will resonate among the shipping industry and that we are more driven than ever to advance this sector,” said the acting chief executive.

Minister of Transport and Infocommunications and Chairman of MPABD Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha was guest of honour at the event.

Signatories of the agreement were Captain Abdul Mateen for MPABD and Amarco Services Director Ariffin bin Haji Masrah.

Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Fiscal) and Deputy Chairperson of MPABD Pengiran Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Zety Sufina binti Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Sani was also present at the event.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin