President Widodo, also known as Jokowi, who was inaugurated earlier this week, has placed maritime as a key part of his agenda.
Pelindo III spokesman Edi Priyanto said the company was preparing to repair Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, East Java, and Benoa Port in Bali as the main ports for eastern Indonesia.“Benoa will be focused on supporting the smoothness of passenger flows, serving as it does as the gateway for tourists to Bali Island. Meanwhile, Tanjung Perak will be directed to supporting the flow of both passengers and goods,” he said.
Pelindo said 11 major seaports and feeder ports were being renovated to smooth passenger flows from areas in western Indonesia to eastern parts of the country and vice versa. Apart from Tanjung Perak and Benoa, the nine other ports are in Ambon, Biak, Bitung, Makassar, Menado, Pare-pare, Sorong, Tarakan, and Ternate.Meanwhile, 13 seaports are being specifically designed to smooth the flow of goods. Apart from Tanjung Perak in Surabaya, the ports include Bagendang Port in Sampit; Batulicin Port in Kotabaru; Bumiharjo Port in Kumai; Lembar Port in Mataram; Tenau Port in Kupang, and the container terminal in Banjarmasin.
The others are in Bitung, Kendari, Makassar and Sorong as well as Dede Port in Tolitoli, Nusantara Port in Pare-pare and Pantoloan Port in Palu. These seven ports are under the management of Pelindo IV in Makassar.Pelindo IV corporate communications assistant secretary Anna Maryani said the company was focusing on improving the capacity of large ports and feeders, used by both Pelni ferries and cruise ships, to smooth the flow of passengers and goods.
“We are improving Biak and Sorong ports in Papua so that cruise ships carrying foreign tourists to Raja Ampat can enjoy better services in the ports,” Anna was quoted as saying.Pelindo III president director Djarwo Surjanto added the company was preparing an investment of up to IDR10trn ($1bn) to develop international-level ports and to support the government’s sea-toll project.
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