Tanjung Api-Api Port to start operation in December
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Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the Port of Tanjung Api-Api in the regency of Banyuasin, South Sumatra, is to be operational in December, 2017.
Physical construction of the project is already completed, but the port basin is not yet safe for big ships, Budi said after a meeting on the port and the progress made in the construction of Light Rail Transit project (LRT) in the city of Palembang on Saturday.
The minister said the port basin is only 3.5 meter deep, therefore it still needs to be made deeper to be safe for big ships.
He said South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin also agreed with the decision to operate the new international seaport in December.
In addition the 60-kilometer long provincial highway linking the new port with the provincial city Palembang still needs repairs here and there, he said.
He said later Tanjung Api-Api will need to be linked with toll road and railways to facilitate the transport of cargoes to and from the international port.
The minister expressed optimism the port would help accelerate industrialization in South Sumatra and neighboring province of Jambi as it would serve as hub port for goods from the two provinces to be transported to Jakartas Tanjung Priok on the way to export market or other regions in the country.
Meanwhile, Sea Transport Director General A Tonny Budiono said the port would be able to accommodate 464 death-weight ship that could carry 50 TEUs of container cargoes.
Tonny said in the beginning the port would be operated by the Transport Ministry but later by phases it would be handed over to PT Pelindo II, the state-owned port operator based in Jakarta.
He said the port has yet to be equipped with cranes to load and unload cargoes including containers. Normally ships already have their own cranes , but work would be faster if the port would also have cranes, he added.
The quay of the port is 50×20 meters, the trestle is 118 X 8 meters and the causeway is 100 X 8 meters .
Construction of the port project cost around Rp178 billion with fund from the state budget.
The South Sumatra provincial administration contributed Rp48 billion for the construction of land supporting facility.
Palembang will co-host the next Asian games in 2018, therefore, the government hastens the completion of infrastructure including the sea port and the LRT project.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the primary challenge preventing larger ships from using Tanjung Api-Api Port upon its opening?
What is the primary challenge preventing larger ships from using Tanjung Api-Api Port upon its opening?
The port basin is currently only 3.5 metres deep. It needs to be deepened to safely accommodate big ships, a crucial step for its full operational capacity.
Q.Who will initially operate the Tanjung Api-Api Port, and who will take over later?
Who will initially operate the Tanjung Api-Api Port, and who will take over later?
The Transport Ministry will operate the port initially. Operations will then be gradually handed over to PT Pelindo II, the state-owned port operator based in Jakarta.
Q.What additional infrastructure is needed to improve the port's connectivity and efficiency?
What additional infrastructure is needed to improve the port's connectivity and efficiency?
The 60-kilometre provincial highway to Palembang needs repairs. Later, the port will require links to a toll road and railways to facilitate cargo transport.
Q.Why is the government speeding up the completion of infrastructure projects like this port?
Why is the government speeding up the completion of infrastructure projects like this port?
The government is hastening the completion of infrastructure, including the seaport and the LRT project, because Palembang will co-host the Asian Games in 2018.
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