14/08/2026

FRIDAY | AUG 14, 2026

16

BIZ & FINANCE

BIZ & FINANCE

PTP first Malaysian port to deploy electric prime movers o Move will strengthen its sustainability ambitions and operational efficiency

MSC’s Q2 net profit more than doubles to RM34 million KUALA LUMPUR: Tin miner and metal producer, Malaysia Smelting Corporation Bhd (MSC) announced the financial results for its second quarter (2QFY26) and first half ended June 30, 2026 (1HFY26), supported by stronger performance from both its tin mining and smelting divisions. For 2QFY26, MSC recorded revenue of RM637.3 million, an increase of 68.2% year-on year from RM379 million in the corresponding quarter last year (2QFY25). Net profit attributable to owners of the company more than doubled to RM34 million from RM13.9 million. The stronger performance was primarily driven by a 44.7% increase in refined tin sales volume and a 49.1% rise in the average tin price to RM208,400 per metric tonne (MT) in 2QFY26, from RM139,800 per MT in 2QFY25. The tin mining segment remained the group’s largest profit contributor, with profit before tax rising to RM59.1 million in 2QFY26 from RM29.1 million in 2QFY25. The increase was supported by higher tin production volume and stronger average tin prices. The group’s tin smelting segment posted a PBT of RM3.8 million in 2QFY26, compared with a loss before tax of RM9.6 million in 2QFY25. The turnaround was mainly attributable to higher profit from the sales and encashment of tin intermediates, coupled with cost savings following the closure of the Butterworth plant. These gains were partially offset by foreign exchange losses of RM4.6 million. The segment’s performance in 2QFY25 was also adversely affected by the disruption to tin production following the gas pipeline fire incident at Putra Heights. For 1HFY26, MSC achieved revenue of RM1,094.3 million, compared with RM748.7 million in 1HFY25. The increase was mainly attributable to higher refined tin sales volume and a stronger average tin price of RM200,700 per MT in 1HFY26 compared with RM140,900 per MT in 1HFY25. Meanwhile, net profit surged by 255.1% to RM77.0 million in 1HFY26 from RM21.7 million in 1HFY25. On a quarter on quarter basis, the group’s revenue rose to RM637.3 million in 2QFY26 from RM457.0 million in the preceding quarter (1QFY26), driven by higher refined tin sales volume and a stronger average tin price. Net profit moderated to RM34.0 million from RM42.9 million due to lower tin smelting PBT which declined to RM3.8 million from RM15.5 million, following lower sales and encashment of tin intermediates and foreign exchange losses of RM4.6 million during the quarter. This was partially cushioned by a stronger contribution from the tin mining segment, which delivered PBT of RM59.1 million, compared with RM55.2 million in 1QFY26, supported by the stronger average tin price.

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), a joint venture between Malaysia-based MMC Group and Netherlands-based APM Terminals, is the first port in Malaysia to commission and operate electric prime movers (e-PMs), reinforcing its leadership in sustainable port operations and marking another significant milestone in the nation’s maritime decarbonisation journey. The first 21 e-PMs, delivered by Terberg Tractors Malaysia (TTM), officially entered service on Aug 11, 2026 to support horizontal container movement within the terminal. The deployment marked the first operational rollout of PTP’s e-PM fleet, which will collectively strengthen the port’s sustainability ambitions, operational efficiency and commitment to greener terminal operations. This milestone followed the signing of a procurement agreement between PTP and TTM in December 2025 for 52 e-PMs. Following the successful commissioning of the first 21 units, the remaining e-PMs are scheduled to be delivered in batches through to the end of September 2026, progressively expanding PTP’s electric fleet and advancing the port’s long-term decarbonisation agenda. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said: “I am delighted to congratulate PTP on yet another Malaysian first as the country’s first port to introduce e-PMs, reaffirming the port’s pioneering spirit and setting another national benchmark for the maritime industry. “Ports around the world are accelerating their transition towards electrification, and I am pleased to see Malaysian ports, with PTP at the forefront, keeping pace with global developments. “What makes this achievement even more meaningful is that these e-PMs are manufactured locally by TTM in Pasir Gudang, Johor, showcasing the strength of Malaysian talent and manufacturing capabilities. “PTP has consistently delivered remarkable achievements, setting new national benchmarks time and again. “Last year, as PTP celebrated its 25th anniversary, it also recorded another historic milestone as the first container terminal in Malaysia to surpass 14 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in a single year. “It was also recognised by Alphaliner this year as the world’s fastest- growing port, with a growth rate of 14.5%. “I look forward to seeing PTP continue strengthening its position as Malaysia’s leading transshipment hub, while further establishing itself as one of the region’s most resilient and high-performing container terminals,” he added. PTP CEO Mark Hardiman said: “These new assets are not solely about advancing our sustainability ambitions. “They also form an integral part of PTP’s long-term expansion programme, which will increase the port’s handling capacity to 16.3 million TEUs annually by 2029, enabling us to deliver greater capacity, reliability and

A Port of Tanjung Pelepas electric prime mover in action.

memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Port of Melbourne on sustainable port operations. “Together, these initiatives ensure PTP continues to deliver sustainable, resilient and future-ready port solutions for our customers and stakeholders,” said Hardiman. TTM CEO Boo Wei Ching said: “TTM is proud to join PTP in their sustainability journey and remain grateful for their continued trust and confidence. We look forward to achieving greater heights in performance and innovation, in partnership with PTP.” The commissioning of these e-PMs demonstrates the capability of Malaysian engineering and manufacturing to support world-class port operations. Beyond supplying the equipment, their teams have worked closely with PTP throughout the testing, commissioning and operational readiness process to ensure every unit performs reliably in a demanding terminal environment,” he added. With the successful commissioning of the first 21 units, PTP will progressively deploy the remaining 31 e-PMs through the end of September 2026, completing the fleet of 52 under its procurement programme with TTM. The initiative represents another important step in the port’s long-term transformation, combining operational excellence, innovation and sustainability to support future growth and evolving customer requirements.

efficiency to support growing trade volumes and our customers’ future requirements.” He added they first undertook a Proof of Concept (PoC) between 2023 and 2024, which delivered encouraging results. The study demonstrated that an e-PM generates 4,000 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide equivalent (kgCO₂eq) per month compared to 7,600 kgCO₂eq for conventional units, achieving a 48% emissions reduction, alongside a 57% reduction in monthly operational costs per unit. “As we progress towards our net-zero emissions target by 2050, PTP has established a comprehensive decarbonisation pathway to reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2030,” Hardiman said. “A significant part of this journey has been the progressive electrification of our equipment fleet. Between 2011 and 2023, we progressively electrified our rubber-tyred gantry crane (RTG) fleet in phases, while expanding the fleet over time, with 245 e-RTGs now in operation. “The introduction of e-PMs marks another important step in this on-going transition towards lower- carbon port operations,” he said. Beyond equipment electrification, he added, they continue to advance green infrastructure solutions while strengthening international collaborations, including the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) GreenVoyage2050 initiative, the Australian Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I), and their

VentureTECH invests RM28 million into three Bumiputera tech firms PUTRAJAYA: VentureTECH Sdn Bhd, a government-backed impact investment

Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35).” These investments reflect VentureTECH’s continued commitment to backing Bumiputera companies with the ambition and capability to compete at regional and global levels. By investing in technologies that address real-world challenges, VentureTECH is strengthening Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem while creating sustainable socio-economic value for the nation.

“Our role extends beyond providing capital. We work alongside our investee companies throughout their growth journey, helping them strengthen their capabilities, unlock new market opportunities and scale sustainably. “Through these investments, we are not only supporting promising businesses but also contributing to Malaysia’s long-term economic resilience and the aspirations of the Bumiputera

VentureTECH, we invest in companies with innovative technologies that solve real-world challenges, strengthen strategic industries and have the potential to scale sustainably. “Move Robotic, Recove and Edote exemplify the kind of Bumiputera companies we seek to support; companies that combine innovation with strong commercial potential while delivering meaningful socio-economic impact.

company, has invested RM28 million in three Bumiputera-led high-growth, high-value (HGHV) companies following an investment agreement signing ceremony here. The three companies are Move Robotic Sdn Bhd, Recove Group Sdn Bhd and Edote Sdn Bhd . VentureTECH CEO Azizan Jaafar said: “At