Kuala Linggi International Port (KLIP) and China’s CCCC Dredging have signed a RM800 million (approx. $174 million) dredging and land reclamation contract for the creation of a new island in the Strait of Malacca.

Photo courtesy of Dr Massila Kamalrudin

Out of the 24 potential candidates and five shortlisted — three Chinese companies, one Dutch and one Belgian — the KLIP development contract was won by one of the the CCCC’s subsidiaries – CCC Dredging Southeast Asia Sdn Bhd (CCC).

The deal, confirmed by the Ministry of Transport Malaysia, was signed during the 16th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA ’23) on Wednesday, May 24.

It calls for CCCC Dredging Southeast Asia to reclaim 620 acres of new land which is needed for the development of the mammoth project called Kuala Linggi International Port.

According to a KLIP official, works on the project are set to begin before the end of 2023. It will take approx. two years to complete the works. Taking into consideration all the factors, KLIP is hoping to commence operations on the reclaimed land in 2027.