Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (BPHB) has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd (BPSB), has been officially appointed as the approved operator of Bintulu Port for a 30-year term. The appointment, authorized by the Bintulu Port Authority (Sarawak) and endorsed by the Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri, took effect on September 1, 2026, and will run through August 31, 2056.

This development follows the recent transition of Bintulu Port from federal jurisdiction to state control under Sarawak. The formal recognition of BPSB as the port operator is detailed in the Bintulu Port Authority (Sarawak) (Appointment of Approved Port Operator) Notification 2026, which was published in the Sarawak Government Gazette on September 10.

Under this arrangement, BPSB is responsible for conducting port operations in compliance with the Port Authorities Ordinance 1961 along with its subsidiary legislation. Additionally, operations will be governed by the terms set out in a Heads of Agreement (HoA) signed on July 27, 2026, involving the Sarawak government, Bintulu Port Authority (Sarawak), and BPSB.

The HoA will remain effective until a formal Port Operation Concession Agreement is finalized and executed. This agreement will establish the definitive framework governing BPSB’s management of the port going forward.

BPHB emphasized that BPSB will continue its operations within the framework of state-level regulatory oversight and the contractual terms agreed upon with the relevant parties. The 30-year tenure secures BPSB’s role as the principal operator during a period expected to coincide with strategic development and growth of Bintulu Port’s facilities and services.