"With such potential, it is necessary to increase the competitiveness of sustainable ports and careful planning and arranging proper, safe, and efficient shipping routes," the ministry's Director of Navigation Budi Mantoro remarked here on Tuesday.
In the focus group discussion (FGD) discussing the plan to determine the shipping routes to Siberut/Simailepet Port, Mantoro stated that collaboration to explore and formulate measures to improve efficiency and safety in shipping is important.
He also remarked that the discussion event was one of the important agendas in the development and planning of maritime navigation.
According to Mantoro, the Siberut/Simailepet Port in West Sumatra has the potential to become a hinterland port for the distribution of goods in Mentawai Islands.
Currently, the "KM Sabuk Nusantara 37" passenger boat has served and facilitated access between remote islands in West Sumatra and North Sumatra that are difficult to reach by regular shipping.
KM Sabuk Nusantara 37 is a local ship, with a length of 62.80 meters and a width of 12 meters. It has a passenger capacity of 436 people and can carry goods up to 50 tons.
It is planned that the ship will travel around Mentawai Islands starting from Teluk Bayur to Painan and then to Tua Pejat, Teluk Kutarai, Siberut/Simailepet, and other local ports.
"The arrangement of shipping routes should be carried out immediately in order to obtain ideal shipping routes that meet various aspects of safety and smooth navigation and protect the sustainability of the maritime environment," Mantoro remarked.
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Translator: Adimas P, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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