North Sumatra Ports Infrastructure to Complete This Year: Pelindo

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bambang Eka Cahyana, president director of state-owned port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia I (Persero), also known as Pelindo I, said that North Sumatra ports will commence operations this year. Improvements to port infrastructure are expected to boost economic growth in the province.

Bambang explained that the company has been stepping up construction of port infrastructure in the past two years. He is hopeful such improvements would attract more shipping lines, goods owners and investors.

“North Sumatra is the most attractive province for investment. However, its potential remains largely untapped due to sluggish infrastructure development, including ports. This year, we will complete the constructions. North Sumatra will rise,” Bambang said.

Moreover, he went on, Kuala Tanjung Port will begin operations by August. Bambang added that the construction of the port’s multipurpose terminal is 70% complete.

Kuala Tanjung Port will be developed in four phases. The first phase is the construction of a multipurpose terminal. The second phase is the construction of an industrial area on a 3,000 hectare of land, which is expected to complete by 2018. The third phase is the construction of a dedicated terminal/hub port, which expected to complete by 2019. The fourth phase is the development of an integrated industrial area from 2021 to 2023.

Tanjung Balai Asahan Port will also be revamped. Bambang expects the port to start operations after Eid al-Fitr holiday (in late June). Moreover, Pelindo I is currently developing a container terminal in Sibolga. Construction of Sibolga Port will complete in September at the latest.

BISNIS.COM