Penang: The Penang government plans to build a new tuna and deep-sea fishing port in the state, which meets international standards, to increase tuna landings. State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman, Fahmi Zainol said the government has identified an area in Bagan Ajam for the new tuna port and discussions are already underway.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state has earmarked land in Bagan Ajam for the development of the new port, with an estimated development budget of RM150 million to RM300 million. Discussions with several investors for funding are currently in progress. Fahmi Zainol indicated that the port could be completed within one-and-a-half to two years, pending technical approval from the District Land Office and other relevant agencies, along with private sector allocation.

Fahmi expressed the hope that the new port could revive the glory days of Penang's tuna industry, reminiscent of the 1990s. He highlighted that the port's exclusive focus on tuna fishing means that tuna vessels will not have to compete for docking space with commercial ships. Additionally, the port will offer lower charges, as it will operate on a non-commercial basis.

The new port is set to meet European Union (EU) standards and will incorporate special facilities tailored specifically for tuna fishing. This is in contrast to existing ports, which provide general facilities and lack a focus on tuna landings. Fahmi also noted that the port is expected to attract foreign tuna ships due to its user-friendly facilities.

Preliminary data from the Malaysian Fisheries Department revealed that total tuna landings in Penang last year amounted to 431,000 kilograms (kg), valued at RM7.758 million. The Butterworth deep-water wharf currently serves as the main landing point. Fahmi also mentioned that Malaysian vessels landed tuna in Mauritius last year, with a total of 4,295,758 kg, including 3,749,478 kg from local vessels.

So far this year, total tuna landings in Penang, including those from foreign vessels, have reached 1,445,120 kg, with an estimated value of RM26 million. Fahmi believes that with the dedicated tuna port in Bagan Ajam, tuna landings could increase by 30 to 50 percent within five years of its operation. He also envisions Penang becoming a tuna processing hub, where foreign vessels can land their catch for processing before exporting it to Taiwan or Japan.