Pending Port handled about 217,500 tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2026, down from about 764,800 tonnes during the same period last year, figures cited by DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen show. Chong, who is also Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman, said the drop raised questions about restrictions on ships with an air draft exceeding 26 metres after the Sejingkat Bridge came into operation. Roll-on/roll-off cargo, mainly vehicles, fell from about 380,000 tonnes involving 27,347 vehicles in the first half of 2025 to 2,435 tonnes involving 15 vehicles this year. He said cargo had shifted to Senari Port, where throughput rose from about 3.46 million tonnes to 4.12 million tonnes. Chong claimed the shift had caused congestion, longer vessel waiting times and cargo deliveries into Kuching taking one to two weeks longer. Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas said Pending Port remained fully operational. Kuching Port Authority general manager Robert Lau said Pending Terminal was being repositioned to handle suitable domestic cargo, while Senari handles vessels requiring greater clearance. KPA recorded 179 ship calls and about 217,600 tonnes at Pending between January and June 2026. Changes in port handling can affect vessel waiting times and delivery schedules even when a terminal remains operational. Businesses moving cargo into Kuching should confirm the latest arrangement with the port authority rather than rely on a single political claim or an old estimate. [image: 1787198909240-pending-port-20260820.gif]

Kuching Port Authority says Pending Terminal is still operating despite concerns over the new Sejingkat-Samarahan Bridge. KPA said the terminal has been repositioned to handle domestic trade cargo within Sarawak and remains operational. From January to June 2026, it recorded 179 ship calls and about 217,600 tonnes of throughput. It also continues to support live-pig exports to Singapore and Selangor, with annual export throughput of about 14,000 tonnes. Senari Terminal is being positioned as a multipurpose facility for containers, roll-on/roll-off vehicles, project cargo, wheat, rice, maize, soy and fertilisers. Its vehicle yard currently has capacity for 2,500 units, with another 1,000-unit capacity expected by the end of 2026. The statement followed concerns raised by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, who said the bridge’s clearance could restrict some vessels from reaching Pending and push more cargo to Senari. KPA said both terminals would continue to serve complementary roles as Kuching’s cargo demand grows. Location: Pending Terminal and Senari Terminal, Kuching Details: 179 ship calls were recorded at Pending Terminal from January to June 2026. Source: The Borneo Post What do you think?