Yong (third left) and Samin members at the press conference.

SIBU: Sarawak Association of Maritime Industries (Samin) will be publishing a book on the ship-building, ship-repair and ship-design industry in the state, and expect to release it by August.

Its president Dr Renco Yong said the effort is in collaboration with the International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Ministry, and will focus on the development of the said industry in Sarawak.

“Sarawak is known as the maritime hub for Malaysia by having the most activities in Malaysia, the most ships registered, the most ship-building, and the most shipyards in Malaysia.

“We hav ogle, you won’t find a lot of information on Sarawak shipbuilding,” he told a press conference here Wednesday evening.

According to Yong, the Prime Minister’s Department had published a book on the shipbuilding industry in Malaysia, but the focus was mainly on the industry in Peninsular Malaysia.

Thus, he believed it is appropriate that Sarawak has a similar book of its own, focusing on the development of the industry in the state alone.

“Once the book is out, it would be one of the most significant milestone for Samin and the industry in Sarawak,” he added.

Yong said he hoped all maritime players would assist the association in compiling information and statistics relating to the industry for inclusion in the book.

The association can be reached via sarawaksamin@gmail.com. Its premises is at Level 4 of the Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry building.

Yong said apart from the book, Samin will also be collaborating with the ministry on the publication of Sarawak Maritime Facility Map — displaying all the marine-related industries including manufacturers, marine repair overhaul and supplies.