Transportation Minister: Patimban Port Starts Operating in December 2020

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi inspects Patimban Port, Subang Regency, West Java Province. (Photo by: Public Relations of Ministry of Transportation)

The Patimban Port in Subang, West Java Province will start operating as the center of import-export activities in December this year, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi has said.

The Minister made the statement during a virtual Public Dialogue adopting the theme “Patimban Port and Regional Economic Development”, Monday (16/11).

“We remain committed to completing various transportation infrastructure developments, including the Patimban Port. The port is expected to accelerate national economic recovery. In December, we will use the car terminal for the first time, which can be used to export and import cars. We will also continue to complete the next phase,” the Minister said.

According to him, the construction team is still completing the progress so the port can be operated on a limited basis in December.

Currently, the Patimban Port construction is in the first stage of work, including a 35-hectare container terminal with a capacity of 250,000 TEUs and 25-hectare car terminal with a capacity of 218,000 CBUs. The car terminal is equipped with a 350-meter x 33-meter pier with a capacity of 218,000 CBUs and ready to  use.

On the road access, the Minister said that 8.2 kilometers of access road to Patimban Port has been completed by Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing and ready to operate.

Budi went on to say that the construction of a 66-hectare container terminal with a cumulative capacity of 3.75 million TEUs and a car terminal with a cumulative capacity of 600,000 CBUs and a RoRo terminal covering an area of 200 meters will start next year.

“For the long term, the Patimban Port is expected to be the largest port that will be operated for export and import activities of the automotive and logistics industry from Indonesia to other countries, which will improve regional and national economic growth, as well as increase Indonesia’s competitivenes in the global economy,” he said.

The Minister also expressed appreciation for the support from various stakeholders, including the regional government, the academics, and the community in the Patimban Port development program.

“Support from relevant parties is essential for to help oversee and become social control that provides input so the infrastructure can be utilized optimally,” he added.

In addition to the port development, Ministry of Transportation also carried out safety and smooth operation programs both on the sea and land, including the installation of navigation aids for navigation, assessment and ratification of ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security), and provision of CIQP (Customs Immigration Quarantine Procedure).

The program also covers optimizing the application of traffic management & engineering, rearranging the Traffic Signals  (APILL) phase, building and installing and maintaining road equipment facilities along the national road to Patimban Port access, re-routing the public transport route network, especially urban/rural transportation, by adding Patimban Port as one of the destinations of public transportation, as well as establishing public transportation support facilities, such as bus stops to reduce traffic congestion.

The Ministry also focused on the social aspects, including the impact of the port construction on the livelihoods of the community and fishermen around Patimban. There are several programs conducted, including providing assistance for ships that can accommodate more than 15 GT so that they can go fishing with larger capacities and go longer distances and the formation of joint business cooperatives for fishermen in order to expand cooperation and business. (PR of Ministry of Transportation/UN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti