JOHOR BARU: Sindora Bhd subsidiary EA Technique (M) Sdn Bhd is investing RM30mil to build its own shipyard in Johor.

Sindora chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim said work on the 8.09ha shipyard at the Tanjung Langsat industrial estate would probably start in the third quarter.

“The shipyard will support the company’s fleet expansion plan as well as provide related services to other parties,’’ he said after the company AGM yesterday.

Ali said the location of the shipyard in the middle of the busiest shipping route in the region – the Straits of Malacca – would augur well for the shipyard where requests for ship repair were high.

He said it would be better for EA Technique to have its own shipyard where it could conduct shipbuilding and repair activities rather than send its vessels elsewhere for repair.

Tanjung Langsat’s close proximity to Singapore would be another advantage for the shipyard to attract clients from the republic, he said, adding: “Ship repair is costly in Singapore and the waiting list is long at the shipyards there, so Johor offers an alternative for shipping companies.’’

The 1,400ha Tanjung Langsat industrial estate, located near the Pasir Gudang industrial estate, is being developed by Johor Corp (JCorp) subsidiary TMP Technopark Sdn Bhd. Presently, there are 21 local and foreign companies operating in the estate with a combined total investment of RM10bil, including infrastructure.

Some RM500mil had been invested since 2000 in the port at Tanjung Langsat and JCorp is investing another RM500mil under the second phase of the Tanjung Langsat Port expansion plan this year.

Two new berths, measuring 500m each, dedicated to the handling of general cargo will be built at the port this year. Under the port’s long-term expansion plan to handle liquid petroleum-related cargo, general and dry cargo, it will have a total of 12 to 14 berths.

For the financial year ended Dec 31 (FY08), Sindora registered a net profit of RM27.78mil on revenue of RM351.19mil, from RM26.58mil and RM295.16mil respectively in FY07.

Ali said Sindora would continue to look for companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to be part of its Intrapreneur Venture Business (IVB) scheme.

He said there were many SMEs nationwide that could be further nurtured and developed and it was proven by its 10 IVB subsidiaries and associate companies that had contributed significantly to the company.