Minister Of Transportation Budi Karya Hopes Perintis Sea Transportation Can Be More Maximum Amid Funding Limitations From The State Budget

Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi hopes that pioneering sea transportation services can be more optimal and efficient in terms of budget and appropriate, amidst limited funding through the state budget.

"Currently, the fiscal space for the government's budget allocation is limited, this encourages us to be able to manage the budget wisely, efficiently, effectively, and economically. Identify the trayek sections that can be offered to the private or commercial sector, and the narrowing routes can also be carried out efficiency," said the Minister of Transportation, quoted from an official statement, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, August 2.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Transportation during a national coordination meeting (Rakornas) on pioneer voyages with the theme "Perintis Shippings That Are Right To Boost Connectivity Integratedness and Support Economic Activities in Remote, Outermost, Disadvantaged, and Border Areas Amid Fiscal And Fleet Constraints" organized by the Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation, Tuesday, August 1.

In addition, the Minister of Transportation also requested that supervision of the implementation of sea transportation for pioneer ships needs to be carried out thoroughly to ensure the management of sea transportation in accordance with the rules.

On the same occasion, Plt. Director General of Sea Transportation Antoni Arif explained that in the midst of limited funding, it is hoped that it will not reduce the enthusiasm to continue to do its best in providing services in order to maintain community connectivity in disadvantaged, remote, outermost, and border areas.

"It is necessary to model a more optimal network of pioneer ship routes so that they are expected to create an efficient budget, but still benefit from growing the economy in the areas visited," said Antoni.

He advised port organizers to provide convenience in services, economic costs, and priority for docking at ports.

In addition, pioneer ship operators and rede ships are also expected to continue to improve passenger services and carry out good maintenance of the pioneer ship fleet.

Meanwhile, provincial transportation agencies and airport offices and port/port authority (KSOP/UPP) operators at pioneer base ports are expected to always evaluate pioneer ship routes in the regions by paying attention to occupancy and production of both passengers and goods so that the regions receive optimal benefits.

Meanwhile, the Director of Sea Traffic and Transportation of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation Hendri Ginting said that the Directorate General of Sea Transportation had made various efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness in pioneering transportation, one of which was the use of e-catalog.

"In accordance with the direction of the Minister, we have collaborated in order to realize the simplicial process and transparency in the selection of private operators providing pioneering sea transportation, where the election process will be implemented through e-catalog in 2024. This process will make the selection process easier, more transparent, and more effective," said Hendri.

The Ministry of Transportation noted that since its launch, the implementation of pioneering ship services has continued to increase, both in terms of ship transport capacity and the amount of cargo served. The implementation of public services for pioneer ships in 2023 will serve 116 routes that oversee 562 ports in 23 provinces in 183 regencies/cities.

The Ministry of Transportation said pioneer sea transportation was present to connect areas that are still lagging behind or have not developed with developing or advanced areas, areas where other modes of transportation are not adequate, and areas that are commercially unfavorable for sea transportation activities to be served.