Indonesia's Pelindo II to start work on Cirebon port in OctoberIndonesia's Pelindo II to start work on Cirebon port in October

The new port, worth IDR1.75trn ($132m), will be able to accept container vessels, reducing Indonesia’s dependence on Singapore for deepwater port services, and boosting logistics efficiency, said Pelindo II president director Richard Lino.The port is expected to go into operation in 2017, with further phases of developments going on till 2019.

“Economic growth in West Java and Central Java will expand significantly, because where there is a port, that’s where industry will grow,” Lino said.Pelindo II will also build roads linking the port to the trans-Java toll road network, he said.The port’s container terminal, taking up over 16ha, will be able to accommodate 500,000 teu, according to the company.

Lino said the port would become a mainstay of Indonesia’s economic activity, taking some of the pressure off Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok Port and Surabaya’s Tanjung Perak Port.“I ask for the support of all parties, especially the local government and municipal government Cirebon in West Java,” he said.