11 January 2023

Malaysia: The Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) are planning to set up a joint-venture tasked with imported cement into Sarawak due to shortages and high prices. The company intends to import 0.5 – 1Mt/yr of cement from Siam Cement Group (SCG) in Thailand, according to the Star newspaper. Representatives of the SEDC and BDA recently visited SCG in Bangkok.

Cement prices in Sarawk are reportedly 15% higher than in mainland Malaysia and 4% higher than neighbouring Sabah. Supply and pricing issues have adversely affected infrastructure projects in the state. Maintenance at CMS Cement’s integrated Mambong plant south of Kuching and delays in delivering raw materials to its grinding plant at Kuching grinding plant caused further disruptions to cement supplies in late 2022.

US: Argos USA has ordered a 490 M-type ship unloader from Swden-based Bruks Siwertell for cement and fly-ash handling at the Port of Houston in Texas. The unloader will have a continuous rated cement handling capacity of 800t/hr and is designed to accommodate vessels up to 65,000 dwt. It will be assembled on site and is planned for delivery in February 2024. Bruks Siwertell will also supply the complete screw conveyor system for transporting dry bulk material from the unloader to a storage dome, along with support structures and walkways.