E A Technique bags Northport's contract

PETALING JAYA: Northport (M) Bhd, the operator of the multi-purpose port facility, has awarded a RM260 million contract to build and operate six new harbour tugboats to E A Technique (M) Sdn Bhd.

Chief executive officer Abi Sofian Abdul Hamid said the company was confident of the capability and services offered by local companies.

"This is a positive start for both companies in providing the best services towards satisfying our customers, while making our presence felt in the international maritime trade," he said at the ceremony to sign the contract here today.

He said E A Technique a Bumiputera company, emerged the best bidder for the project, beating six others in an open tender exercise.

The six tugboats, called Z-Peller Harbour Tugboats, are each of two different capacities of three units of 40 tonnes and 50 tonnes bollard pull.

The tugboats will meet Northport's needs at its wharf 8A in handling ultra large vessels.

Meanwhile, E A Technique managing director Datuk Ir Abdul Hak Md Amin said the company had undergone the longest bidding exercise with Northport, but it paid off well for the company.

"Northport is the fifth port to use our tugboats. The total combined fleet for all these ports stands at 21 units and has helped propelled E A Technique to the forefront as the biggest owner and operator of harbour tugboats in Malaysia.

"Our aim is to become the biggest industry player in the region soon," he added.

Abdul Hak said E A Technique's tugboat activity involving its other shipping businesses now contributes about 40 per cent or RM120 million to the company's annual turnover