Synergy is very much needed, especially coordination on data and information on location determination that has been determined by BP Batam so that the ministry can (decide on) the control of the use of marine spaceJakarta (ANTARA) - The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has granted a Confirmation of Sea Spatial Conformity permit to the Batam Free Trade Area and Free Port Concession Agency (BP Batam).
The document is meant for the revitalization of the 23.24-hectare north pier pond at Batu Ampar Terminal, Director of Coastal and Small Islands Utilization Muhammad Yusuf at the ministry, said in a press release here on Thursday.
It is necessary for government agencies to cooperate with each other regarding the use of marine space in the Batam area and the surrounding waters, he added.
"Synergy is very much needed, especially coordination on data and information on location determination that has been determined by BP Batam so that the ministry can (decide on) the control of the use of marine space," he said.
According to Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation, Government Regulation Number 21 of 2021 about Spatial Planning, and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry’s Regulation Number 28 of 2021 pertaining to Marine Spatial Planning, the Confirmation of Sea Spatial Conformity document is one of the basic permits that must be possessed by governments, both at the central and regional level.
As per the document, Batu Ampar Terminal, which is located in Batu Ampar district, Batam city, Riau Islands province, was built in 1971. Currently, it has a business port status and offers services such as container and general cargo transhipment as well as passenger services.
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The document states that the port’s pool dredging activity is aimed at obtaining the ideal port pool depth, below the lowest sea level, so that ship operations can run well, as that would ensure the safety of ships maneuvering and leaving the port.
Yusuf said that land acquisition has been included in the development activities listed in the Port Master Plan, under which container stacking will be carried out on reclaimed land.
A BP Batam representative, Aris Majib, lauded the granting of the basic permit for the management of marine space, which would be used for activities such as reclamation.
In the future, all BP Batam activities would be conducted in collaboration with the ministry in order to encourage better development of Batam, he said.
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Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, emphasized that the Confirmation of Sea Spatial Conformity permit was granted after strict evaluation to ensure that the area in question can properly execute high-risk activities.
He said that all activities in the marine space that pose a high risk would be given approval once they are deemed appropriate by environmental feasibility studies.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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