Rachmat Gobel's Company Builds An Orchid Port In Gorontalo Worth Rp1.4 Trillion

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachmat Gobel. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Gotrans Logistics International, one of the Gobel International business groups belonging to the conglomerate who is also the deputy chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Rachmat Gobel, will build a Government Business Entity Cooperation (PPP) project for the Orchid Port in Gorontalo worth Rp. 1.4 trillion.

Gotrans will work on the project through a consortium called PT Anggrek Gorontalo International Terminal (AGIT) along with three other companies, namely PT Anugerah Jelajah Indonesia Logistics, PT Titian Labuan Anugrah and PT Hutama Karya (Persero).

President Director of PT Anggrek Gorontalo International Terminal (AGIT) Hiramsyah Sambudhy Thaib estimates that the investment in the construction of the Anggrek Port will cost Rp1.4 trillion. Funding for the project is carried out in stages.

Hiramsyah explained that the first phase of construction will begin in 2022/2023 which includes the construction of a pier, container field and other supporting facilities. Meanwhile, the second phase of development is planned for 2031/2032.

According to him, the inclusion of companies in building PPP projects is a challenge because with PPPs, the return on investment funds issued does not only depend on the efficiency of port management, but will also largely determine how to improve the economy and the flow of goods to and from Gorontalo.

"Our challenge is not limited to managing the port, but how to make the development of this port a locomotive, to strengthen Gorontalo's economic ecosystem into an attractive investment destination. Be part of the ecosystem and the synergy of Gorontalo's development," he said, in a written statement, Tuesday, September 28.

Meanwhile, Rachmat Gobel said that the facilities and infrastructure that will be developed are not only limited to increasing port capacity, but also service quality. Thus, this project will not only be limited to physical development, but also non-physical including management and human resources.

In addition, strengthening and increasing the dock capacity for containers that can accommodate 30,000 DWT (dead weight tons) berthed vessels and general cargo to accommodate 10,000 DWT ships. Then, there is also the development of loading and unloading terminals, improvement of loading and unloading services for containers, general bulk, liquid bulk and cooling containers (reefer containers).

In the next stage or stage two, the development of goods terminal service facilities such as container yards, dry bulk, general cargo and empty containers is carried out. Anggrek Port will also be equipped with Consolidation & Distribution Services (CFS), Harbor Mobile Crane (HMC) loading and unloading equipment as well as container and cargo truck parking lots.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi hopes that the implementation of the development of the Orchid Port into a logistics port can run according to the target. Thus, he continued, not only can immediately improve logistics connectivity and encourage economic growth in Gorontalo and the surrounding area, but also contribute to improving the economy and competitiveness of Indonesia, especially for the Eastern Region.