AHY Calls New Rejuvenation And Procurement Of Vessels Need A Budget Of IDR 1.5 Trillion

Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY). (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said that efforts to rejuvenate and procure new ships require a budget of around Rp. 1.5 trillion.

AHY said, every year there is an increase in public demand for sea transportation services, both for passenger and freight transportation, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

"Regarding budgeting, of course once again it must be calculated carefully. It is not cheap, the total can be IDR 1.5 trillion, and every rupiah of people's money must be accounted for as well as possible," AHY said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, December 30.

His party also needs to consider the ability of the state budget to support the new rejuvenation and procurement efforts of the ship.

Currently, there are only 82 transport ships consisting of 50 ships belonging to the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) and 32 ships belonging to PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia or PT Pelni (Persero).

Considering that the new rejuvenation and procurement of ships is related to the state budget, he also stated that political support is needed in its realization.

"Because the budget cannot be separated from the political process between the government and parliament," said AHY.

In order not to depend too much and burden the state budget, his party also seeks to find credible financing alternatives to meet these needs.

"For rejuvenation as well as increasing the number of ships, we are also discussing credible payment schemes and can be faster when the needs are also more urgent," he said.

As of December 29, 2024, Pelni noted that 366,002 travelers had dispatched for the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year holidays.

"During the period 11 to 29 December 2024, the people traveling by Pelni ship reached 366,002 people," said President Director of PT Pelni Tri Andayani.

He mentioned that the Batam-Belawan section; Belawan-Batam; and Makassar-Bau Bau are still the most crowded trips. Meanwhile, the ports with the most populous departures are Makassar Port, Ambon Harbor, and Batam Port.