THE government has been urged to urgently address operational inefficiencies at Pengerang Port by ensuring the immediate deployment of permanent Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) officers and the implementation of round-the-clock services.
Maritime Network Sdn Bhd founder, Datuk Seri Jeyenderan Ramasamy, said the absence of a full-time customs presence at the port, coupled with limited operating hours, has resulted in significant delays, with vessel clearance processes taking up to 10 hours.
The customs office currently serving Pengerang Port is located in Sungai Rengit, approximately 20 minutes away, creating challenges for time-sensitive operations, particularly outside normal working hours.
“Customs operations are limited to standard office hours, from 8 am to 6 pm, and are closed on weekends, while port activities operate 24 hours a day.
“Outside these hours, shipping operators are required to travel to the Pasir Gudang Customs Office, which involves a round trip of up to four hours, excluding processing time. This results in critical delays and inefficiencies,” he said in a statement today.
He also highlighted that documentation processes at Pengerang Port can take between eight to 10 hours, compared to less than three hours at the Port of Singapore.
“For example, if cargo unloading is completed at midnight and the Bill of Lading is issued at 3 am, operators are unable to process documentation immediately due to the closure of the Sungai Rengit office.
“As a result, documents must be taken to Pasir Gudang for endorsement before a pilot can be appointed for the vessel’s departure, significantly prolonging turnaround time,” explained the maritime industry executive.
He added that such delays not only disrupt operational efficiency but also risk undermining the confidence of international shipping companies.
“In some cases, vessels are required to anchor temporarily while awaiting clearance, further affecting sailing schedules and increasing operational costs,” he said.
Jeyenderan stressed that immediate intervention is critical to ensure Pengerang Port remains competitive in the regional maritime sector.
“We urge the government to take swift action by deploying permanent customs officers at Pengerang Port and implementing 24-hour services in line with the port’s operational demands.
“Pengerang is a strategic mega port with significant potential, and it is crucial that essential support services such as customs are aligned with industry needs to sustain Malaysia’s competitiveness,” he added. – March 20, 2026
