Two New Ports Officially Operate In Riau Islands, Access Between Islands Is Opening

JAKARTA - Inter-island access in the Riau Islands is now increasingly open after two new ferry ports, namely Letung in Anambas Islands Regency and Sedanau in Natuna Regency, officially operate.

The inauguration was carried out by the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) together with the Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi, Wednesday, November 5.

For information, the Letung Ferry Port is located in East Jemaja District, Anambas Islands Regency, with a land area of 4,200 square meters. Meanwhile, the Sedanau Crossing Port is located in West Bunguran District, Natuna Regency, with a land area of 4,260 square meters.

The two ferry ports will be served by the pioneering ship KMP Bahtera Nusantara 01 which has a capacity of 1500 GT. This ship can carry 296 passengers and 26 vehicles, with a track route covering Tanjung Uban-Letung-Matak-Midai-Sedanau-Penagi-Subi-Serasan-Sinte.

Minister of Transportation Dudy said the Riau Islands have distinctive geographical characteristics of islands, where sea transportation and crossing become the lifeblood of the people in the region.

Therefore, said Dudy, the existence of the Letung Ferry Port and Sedanau Ferry Port is very strategic to facilitate community mobility, vehicles, and inter-regional logistics.

"With the presence of this infrastructure, public accessibility is expected to be easier, logistics costs are more efficient, and can support local products to enter a wider market," said Dudy in an official statement, Thursday, November 6.

Dudy said that prior to the Letung Ferry Port, the people of Letung must first stop in Matak and use traditional ships with inadequate safety standards.

Furthermore, Dudy said this condition made the travel time longer and risky. However, after the operation of this port, the travel time from Tanjung Uban to Letung with a distance of 283 km can be reached in approximately 15 hours.

"Meanwhile, from Letung to Matak with a distance of 85 km can be reached in approximately 5 hours. One very important thing is that people are now able to travel outside the island safely, safely, and comfortably, because they use better ships," he said.

In addition, Dudy also said that the Riau Islands Class II BPTD Office Building, which was inaugurated today, is a symbol of increasing the capacity of government services in the field of land and crossing transportation. He hopes that this office can become a center of modern, efficient, and professional coordination in supporting national connectivity policies.

"I invite all parties, such as the Regional Government, business actors, and the community, to jointly maintain and make the best use of this facility. Hopefully, people can feel the benefits in a sustainable manner," said Dudy.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister AHY said, currently transportation costs and logistics costs are still quite high in a number of areas, because the demand is greater than supply. However, continued Dudy, with the existence of the Letung Ferry Port, Sedanau Crossing Port, and the operation of pioneer ships, this step will strengthen supply chain from one region to another, increase economic value, including creating jobs and reviving MSMEs in the Riau Islands region. President Prabowo Subianto has a big vision so that Indonesia is truly a more prosperous and prosperous country in all lines. With the presence of these two ferry ports, hopefully the economy and welfare of the people in the Riau Islands can increase in the future," said AHY.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister AHY said that currently transportation costs and logistics costs are still quite high in a number of areas, because the demand is greater than the supply.

However, continued Dudy, with the existence of the Letung Ferry Port, Sedanau Ferry Port, and the operation of pioneer ships, this step will strengthen the supply chain from one region to another, increase economic value, including create jobs and revive MSMEs in the Riau Islands region.

President Prabowo Subianto has a big vision that Indonesia will truly become a more prosperous and prosperous country in all lines. With the presence of these two ferry ports, hopefully the economy and the welfare of the people in the Riau Islands can increase in the future," said AHY.

AHY juga mengapresiasi Kemenhub yang telah bekerja keras menyelesaikan pembangunan Pelabuhan Penyeberangan Letung, Pelabuhan Penyeberangan Sedanau, dan Kantor BPTD Kelas II Kepulauan Riau.

“Saya berharap semoga dua pelabuhan ini dapat memperlancar arus penumpang serta barang, dan untuk BPTD Kelas II Kepulauan Riau, semoga semakin sukses,” tuturnya.

AHY also appreciated the Ministry of Transportation for working hard to complete the construction of the Letung Ferry Port, Sedanau Crossing Port, and the Riau Islands Class II BPTD Office.

"I hope that these two ports can facilitate the flow of passengers and goods, and for the Riau Islands Class II BPTD, hopefully it will be more successful," he said.