Cabinet Secretariat Urges Acceleration of Batu Ampar Port Capacity Expansion

Deputy to the Cabinet Secretary for Economic Affairs Satya Bhakti Parikesit (first person on the right) chairs a meeting on the capacity expansion of the Batu Ampar Port in Batam, Riau Islands, Saturday (04/05). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)

In a bid to address issues faced in increasing the capacity of Batu Ampar Port, Deputy to the Cabinet Secretary for Economic Affairs Satya Bhakti Parikesit Wednesday (05/07) paid a working visit to Batam, Riau Islands.

During his working visit, the Deputy urged all stakeholders to speed up the process of increasing Batu Ampar Port’s capacity.

“The President has directed that all priority government programs to be completed by the first half of 2024, as discussed in several limited meetings. Our goal is to ensure that all these programs are finished by September at the latest,” Bhakti said.

According to him, increasing the capacity of Batu Ampar Port aligns with the Government’s broader initiative to enhance operations across 46 ports nationwide, which contributes to the optimization of the national logistics ecosystem.

“The port serves as a critical infrastructure that must be developed if we aim to attract investments effectively. It’s where logistics operations are centered, the smooth flow of goods is ensured, both inbound and outbound, which is essential for efficient distribution,” he said.

Bhakti further emphasized the significance of seamless logistics flows in enhancing the country’s competitiveness and attractiveness to investors. Additionally, efficient investment flows yield numerous advantages, including increased value added, job creation, and improved community welfare.

As part of the Cabinet Secretariat’s initiatives to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance Batu Ampar Port’s capacity, operations have been relocated to the Pelni passenger terminal within the port premises.

Bhakti also highlighted that the relocation was necessary to meet with international standards, which dictate the separation of container and passenger ports.

“According to the ISPS Code, an international regulation, there’s a stipulation for separating passenger activities from cargo. This poses a challenge that we must address so that we can comply with international standards,” he stressed.

The relocation of the passenger terminal from Batu Ampar Port has been in discussion for nearly seven years. Therefore, Bhakti encourages all stakeholders to unite and expedite the completion of the transfer.

“For the past three years, we’ve been actively engaged in the restructuring of Batu Ampar Port, yet the task remains unfinished. This is precisely why Cabinet Secretariat, with its debottlenecking function, is here to address coordination issues, communication gaps, and any other challenges hindering the progress. Our role is to ensure effective collaboration and problem-solving as we move forward together,” he added.

On that occasion, Deputy to the Cabinet Secretary for Economic Affairs underscored that the operational transfer of the Pelni passenger ship from Batu Ampar Port was conducted with careful consideration of passenger security and safety aspects.

“We’re not simply relocating it. We’re ensuring that this relocation meets several conditions, including security, safety, and comfort. Cabinet Secretariat, based on our functional duties, are ensuring that all coordination and activities proceed smoothly,” he remarked. (FID/KS/UN) (RIF/RAS/LW)