Pelni Calls Sea Highway Cargo Production in 2022 Exceeds Target

SURABAYA - PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Persero) stated that it had exceeded the production target of sea toll cargo in 2022 which reached 14.508 TEUs or 115.86 percent above the target of 12.521 TEUs.

PT PELNI's Director of the Business of Freight Transport and Sea Toll Road, Yossianis Marciano, admitted that he is optimistic that the production of the sea toll road in 2023 will also increase so that the target is increased by 21 percent.

"With support from the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Trade and the regional government, we are optimistic by increasing the target to 21 percent from last year's target," Yossianis said as quoted by Antara, Thursday, January 5.

According to him, with a total of 39 routes, previously there were only 33, it is hoped that in the future the production of the sea highway will continue to increase.

"Hopefully in terms of transportation and distribution it can be smoother to reach the entire community," he said.

Meanwhile, cargo using KM Kendhaga Nusantara 7, he continued, on the first voyage in 2023 will be fully loaded with necessities such as rice, flour, sugar, oil and other important goods on the Surabaya - Larantuka-Lewoleba-Kalabahi-Surabaya route.

The Director of Traffic and Sea Transportation of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia Hendri Ginting added that the price disparity according to the Ministry of Trade had also been 40 percent, 30 percent and 20 percent, which meant that the state was present.

"The state is present, so that the need for Staple and Important Materials (Bapokting) in the three lagging, frontier, outermost and border areas (3TP) is met," he said.

Meanwhile, the Special Staff of the Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia Buyung Lalana expressed his gratitude to all components of the nation, especially the sea highway actors and the local government for the support of the sea highway program so that it can be sustainable.

"Especially in the three underdeveloped regions, frontier, outermost and border (3TP), hopefully in 2023 it will be more dynamic, where the central government is present in these areas," said the retired high ranking Navy (TNI-AL) officer.

As a form of future evaluation, he continued, all parties must work together in harmony and the government in 3TP must fully understand the potential of the region.

"That way, the cargo back can be sent to especially Java," he said.