Inaugurating The Ketapang Port Moveable Bridge Pier, Khofifah Optimistic That East Java's Economy And Tourism Increase

SURABAYA - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, inaugurated the Movable Bridge (MB) IV Pier, Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi. Khofifah is optimistic that the dock will be able to strengthen East Java's economy and tourism with eastern Indonesia.

The construction of the MB IV pier is to serve the increasing demand for ferry transportation to the Eastern Indonesia Region, through the Ketapang-Lembar Ketapang-Lembar Long Distance Ferry Program, West Nusa Tenggara.

The MB IV Pier, which was built by the East Java Provincial Government in 2017, has a MB capacity of 60 tons, and can accommodate ships with a size of 5000 GT. The Ketapang-Lembar LDF crossing from MB IV Pier in 1 week can make as many as 17 voyages.

There are four ships that will operate at the dock, namely KMP Parama Kalyani, KMP Jambo X, KMP Dharma Ferry IX, and KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya with an average loading of 40 trucks per ship.

Meanwhile, the sailing time for the Ketapang – Lembar cross is 12 hours, with a loading and unloading time of two hours. Meanwhile, the current load factor has reached an average of 70 to 80 percent.

"Currently there are 16 provinces in eastern Indonesia, outside of South Sulawesi, almost 80 percent of the logistics are supplied by East Java. This is what needs to be strengthened between regions and islands, one of which is the inauguration of this port," said Khofifah, Tuesday, October 26.

With the development of the MB IV Pier, Khofifah hopes to support the smooth operation of crossings to Eastern Indonesia through the Ketapang - Lembar Long Distance Shipping, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). This is expected to have an impact on the development of connectivity between East Java and NTB, in supporting regional development and reducing logistics costs.

"Access from Java to NTB can now be reached directly, no need to go through the island of Bali anymore. There is an ease in accelerating effectiveness and efficiency to build connectivity and accessibility, the more well connected the better the access. So that various affairs will become easier, cheaper, more effective and more efficient," he said.

Khofifah also hopes that the MB IV Pier of Ketapang Port will be able to support the improvement of the performance of crossing transportation services for both people and goods and services.

"God willing, in the future, the MB IV Pier will eventually be able to improve the welfare of the people of East Java. In fact, in the future, I have conveyed it to the Minister of Transportation (Menhub), so that the voyage can be continued to Kupang," said Khofifah.

Meanwhile, Banyuwangi Regent, Ipuk Fiestiandani, welcomed the inauguration of the MB IV Pier. According to him, the jetty will provide a multiplier effect for Banyuwangi Regency, both in terms of trade, tourism, and investment.

"We, on behalf of the people of Banyuwangi Regency, thank the Governor and his staff for providing the MB IV Pier. This pier can be a link between Western, Central, and Eastern Indonesia. It can also improve the economy for the people of Banyuwangi and Lembar," said Ipuk.