Senari Port’s Computer Outage Cause Huge Losses to Shipping Container Lines

KUALA LUMPUR (15 May 2021) – Due to the computer outage on 27 March at the Senari port in Kuching, Sarawak, shipping associations have suffered losses in both operating costs as well as sailings and revenue.

According to a joint statement from four shipping associations, namely the Malaysia Shipowners’ Association, Shipping Association Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah Shipowners Association and Sarawak Shipping Association, their shipping service qualities to the business community were also adversely compromised.

“The number of vessels at the anchorage awaiting berth had accumulated since the incident took place. The average waiting hours for berth rose to 82 hours in April, an increase of 183% compared to 29 hours in March,” the associations said.

They added, “the average port’s productivity had dropped 36% to nine gross move per hour (GMPH), from the average 14 GMPH.”

Additionally, they also stated ships that were designed for seven round day voyages from Port Klang to Kuching and back, were no longer capable of completing the trip within the designated time due to congestion and poor productivity at Senari Port.

“Many vessels has suffered delays at other Sabah and Sarawak ports following the disruption at Senari Port, which impacted the supply of empty containers for fresh bookings for shippers in Peninsular Malaysia,” they said.

The associations added that the port’s service level performance had not improved over the years due to a lack of capital investment to upgrade its ageing equipment and information technology systems.

“We are of the view that there is an urgent need for Kuching Port Authority to review the entire port’s management system including the port operating model,” they said.

END