Run 116 Perintis Transport Trayek, Kemenhub Jamin Regional Connectivity 3TP

Director General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Arif Toha (left). (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation through the Directorate General of Sea Transportation runs 116 pioneer sea transportation routes in 2023.

This is to ensure connectivity in disadvantaged, remote, outermost and border areas (3TP).

Director General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Arif Toha said the 116 routes consisted of 42 Pangkal Ports and 562 Singgah Ports.

This year, the number of pioneer ship stops has increased by 14 ports.

Of the total 116 routes, continued Arif, 42 routes were carried out by PT Pelni with an assignment scheme and as many as 74 routes were carried out through a public auction scheme.

"So this pioneering transportation is intended to connect disadvantaged, remote, outermost and border areas (3TP) and facilitate the mobilization of passengers and goods to expand connectivity to the 3TP area," said Director General Arif, at the Ministry of Transportation Office, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 14.

Arif explained that the background for the implementation of pioneer transportation refers to Law Number 17 of 2008.

The regulation states that pioneering shipping is set to serve areas or areas that have not been or are not served by water transportation because they have not provided commercial benefits.

Arif said the number of passengers served by pioneering sea transportation since 2018-2022 has increased relatively. For example, the highest number of passengers, namely in 2022, is 1,129,734 people.

Meanwhile, the number of cargo served by pioneer transportation also relatively increased and the highest number of goods was in 2022 as much as 173,643 tons per m3.

"In addition to being a means of routine transportation, the existence of pioneer ships can also support other assignments, for example in supporting religious events for the Papuan people, pioneer ships are deployed to mobilize their congregations," said Arif.

Furthermore, Arif explained that the Regional Government (Pemda) also has an important role in supporting the implementation of pioneering. Therefore, the central government must continue to establish and improve this collaboration.

The local government that proposes a pioneer transportation route network will then be designed and ratified by the Director General's Decree according to the recommendations of the Regional Government and the National Coordination Meeting. If it has been determined, then the pioneer voyage will be carried out and supervised, and evaluated which requires synergy between the Ministry of Transportation, the Regional Government and KSOP/UPP," he said.

Benefits of Pioneer Ship Services

Arif explained that pioneering transportation in the regions would provide benefits for the people of the area. Not only as a liaison for the region, but also capable of creating labor-intensive jobs.

"It can even increase the growth of local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and improve the standard of living of society and civilization," he said.

Not only proposing pioneering routes in the region, said Arif, after the operation of pioneering sea transportation, the local government has a role and responsibility that must be carried out, namely providing safety and security guarantees for the captain and crew.

Then, also guarantee the safety and security of ships while at the port, ensure the availability of passengers and goods and carry out socialization.

"Then if there are no passengers and goods at the port for 1 month, the local government will provide proposals for omisi and deviation of pioneer ship routes. If at the port stops for 3 months without receiving passengers and goods, the local government will propose to remove the port from the pioneer route," he said.