Minister Of Transportation: Patimban Port Ready To Compete With International Ports

Soft launching of patimban port (doc. Public Relations Ministry of Transportation)

JAKARTA - Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi wants Patimban Port in Subang Regency, West Java to compete with other international ports. Given the infrastructure is able to accommodate the distribution of goods from industrial estates to ports.

"As we can see, the loading and unloading trials in Patimban can be carried out well. The ship can dock, meaning that the dock is ready. The depth of the water pool is good, the flow from outside to here is good, the road from the factory to here is good "Stakeholders have coordinated well. Patimban Port Patimban is ready to operate on a limited basis," said the Minister of Transportation in his press statement, Friday, December 4.

For this reason, he also asked the national shipping industry players to divert the activities of moving goods (transhipment) to Patimban Port from previously being done abroad. Where the access to the Patimban Port area has been supported by the existence of the Trans Java Toll Road and Kertajati Airport in Tasikmalaya.

The test activities for loading and unloading of goods and anchoring of ships were carried out using the MV Ostina ship which was going to the Port of Belawan Medan. During the trial period, 22 cars were transported from the Car Terminal onto the ship.

Regarding the management of Patimban Port during a limited operating period, the Minister of Transportation said that Port Management would be carried out by the Patimban Port and Port Authority Office (KSOP) who would be assisted by professional experts in the port sector. So that the competencies given will be as good as those in Tanjung Priok.

The Minister of Transportation hopes that the stakeholders and human resources at the Ministry of Transportation and other relevant agencies are ready to participate in the management of this port. so that readiness in the operation of Patimban Port can be realized immediately in supporting national economic growth, especially in the West Java region.

"We are a pandemic, but we ensure that what we build we prepare properly and finish on time. What is more important is that it is beneficial for the community, ”he added.

On the same occasion the Deputy Governor of West Java, UU Ruzhanul Ulum, said that the West Java Provincial Government was actively creating an economic development triangle with the name Rebana metropolitan which was included in the West Java Mid and Long Term Development Plan.

The hope is that with a number of transportation infrastructure such as: Kertajati Airport, Patimban Port, and assisted by other facilities, West Java will have a new economic center which is the third after Bandung Raya and Bodebek.

"Because we believe that the existence of Patimban will provide many benefits for the community. Now the houses around Patimban are in good condition. This is a domino effect that is expected by us, the West Java Provincial Government, "he said.

Trial of Patimban port, Subang (doc. Public Relations Ministry of Transportation)

So far, the work on Patimban Port has completed the first stages such as the breakwater, sea wall, pier, back up area, and anchor access. Patimban Port is one of the National Strategic Projects (PSN) which started in 2018 and is planned to be completed in 2027

Later this port will become the Main Port whose main goal is to reduce logistics costs and smooth the flow of goods, as well as reduce the load of goods vehicles on the highway. Patimban Port is emphasized as a port that serves domestic and export-import activities for vehicle and container cargo.

Patimban Port can serve and provide container terminals with a capacity of 7.5 million TEUs and vehicle terminals with a cumulative capacity of 600,000 CBU which are supported by direct toll access and railway lines. In addition, the presence of Patimban Port in synergy with Tanjung Priok Port is expected to streamline logistics time and costs.