
Spica Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (East Malaysia)
SPICA SERVICES (M) SDN BHD
Lot 26A, Jalan Kilang
Sedco Industrial Estate, Kolombong
5 ½ Miles, Jalan Tuaran
88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Malaysia
Phone: (60) 88-386 619
Fax: (60) 88-435 619
Email: kk_claims@spica.com.my
After Office Hours Contact:
Ray Marco Jipin
(60) 019-897-4928
ray@spica.com.my
Otniel O.J Joachim Mathew
(60) 012 332 7054
otniel@spica.com.my
East Malaysia
- We noticed an increase in coral damage claims incidents at Taman Tun Mustapha, Kudat, involving vessels with insufficient navigation equipment or engine malfunctions. These incidents are leading to significant potential claims from Sabah Park, ranging from hundreds to millions of Malaysian Ringgit. The Shipowner are advised to maintain vessel’s equipment and navigate with caution when in the vicinity.
Brunei
- There is a stringent implementation of a short working pass requirement from the immigration department for a foreign surveyor to attend a job in Brunei. Thus, only a Bruneian surveyor can be appointed for urgent incidents thereat, which appear to be limited. For a precautionary survey, it is suggested that Club/Member notify the surveyor/correspondent at least 1-2 weeks before vessel ETA for one time working permit application.
East Malaysia
- The port health officer started to ease restrictions for foreign crew disembarkation for medical attention during this post-pandemic. Foreign crews are now allowed to sign off and sign on at any port in East Malaysia.
- There is a spike in FFO incidents in the Sarawak river which involves bridge pile construction. The repair estimation is massive, and most of the incidents happened due to the inexperience Master and awareness of the Riverine Notice publication by the local authority.
Sabah is one of three Malaysian states/territories on the island of Borneo, and together with Labuan and Sarawak, they are also referred to ‘East Malaysia’. Federal rules and regulations are not identical with the rest of Malaysia. On the same coastline of Borneo, you also find the independent Nation of Brunei.
Tropical climate prevails in the region with high temperatures and high humidity. Although winds are generally calm, strong thunderstorms may last hours. The area is also subjected to two monsoon seasons where both wind and sea is adversely affected.
Most commercial flights from Kota Kinabalu (KK) to international airports such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, HCMC, etc. take about 2-3 hours.
Our KK office is near South East Asia’s 3rd highest peak, Mt Kota Kinabalu, and we have been providing correspondent services from East Malaysia since 2014.
Ray Marco Jipin joined Spica in April 2017 as a Claims Executive and handles all Club and H&M matters. He began his career in shipping industry as an Operation Executive with local freight forwarding company. Graduate of Shipping Management from Netherlands Maritime Institute of Technology (NMIT) in Johor.
Otniel O.J Joachim Mathew joined Spica in January 2021 as a Claims Executive in Spica Kuala Lumpur (West Malaysia) and transferred to Spica Kota Kinabalu (East Malaysia) in April 2022. He began his career in shipping industry as a Marine Surveyor with 4 years of experience with a local survey company. He is holder of Diploma in Maritime Transportation Management from the Netherlands Maritime Institute of Technology (NMIT) in Johor.

200 Cantonment Road
#13-03, Southpoint
Singapore 089763
Tel: (65) 6225 5711
Fax: (65) 6221 2053
Email: claims@spica.com.sg