TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has pushed West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) provincial government to develop Gili Mas seaport located in West Lombok regency.
The seaport is expected to boost connectivity to the province.
“This seaport is expected to boost maritime-based economy and maritime tourism in western Lombok,” said Coordinating Minister For the Economy Darmin Nasution on Sunday (12/2).
Darmin also hopes that the operation of the seaport can help transporting commodities and passengers in West Lombok because the existing Lembar seaport is already overcrowded.
Darmin added that a cruise ship terminal and a container terminal would be available at the seaport, which has a capacity of up to 200,000 containers.
In total, the Gili Mas seaport will cover an area of 100 hectare.
The first phase of the construction is expected to be completed in 2019, while the second stage is expected to be finished in 2021. The groundbreaking ceremony was done on 17 December 2016.
ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI