"We have started the infrastructure development of several ports supporting connectivity in 2022, some of them have reached 80 percent progress," Toha informed during a hearing meeting with Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Monday.
The ports whose construction is 80 percent complete include Tanjung Ular Port in Bangka Belitung, Salisingan Port in West Kalimantan, Patimban Port in West Java, Baa Port in East Nusa Tenggara, Sanur Port in Bali, and Kambuno Port in South Sulawesi, he said.
The ministry is also building the Tua Pejat, Bahaur, Pantoloan, Tanjung Silopo, Atapupu, Bunyu, Wanci, Boepinang, Likupang, Sarmi, Moor, Bula, Tual, and Seba ports to support connectivity. Their construction is at various stages of completion.
In addition to ports, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation is also building sea transportation infrastructure for various purposes, such as priority tourism support, pioneering sea transportation, and sea highways.
Toha said the ministry is coordinating with all relevant stakeholders, such as regional governments, harbor and port authority (KSOP) offices, and the Directorate of Sea Traffic and Transportation to ensure sea transportation runs optimally and right on target.
"This development aims to increase people and goods mobility as well as connect areas that have developed with areas that have not developed, especially in the frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged (3T) areas," he disclosed.
Earlier, the government had compiled a blueprint for the development of ferry transportation for 2010–2030 through the Minister of Transportation’s Regulation Number 6 of 2010. The regulation divides Indonesia into three crisscrossing belts, namely the north belt, middle belt, and south belt.
The government will continue to encourage port development to support connectivity throughout the country, Toha emphasized.
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Translator: Adimas Raditya F P, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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