President Jokowi Wants Dwelling Time in Seaports Cut to 3.2 Days

President Jokowi inspects Kalibaru Container Terminal I, Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, on Tuesday (13/9)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo said that he always follows the development from state-owned port operator Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) about the cutting of dwelling time at Tanjung Priok Seaport.

Two years ago, dwelling time took 6-7 days, but now the President noted that dwelling time at Tanjung Priok Container Terminal only takes 3.2 days or 3.7 days according to the Minister of Transportation.

“The most important thing is that the dwelling time is cut to around 3 days. However, I want it to be cut to 2.2 or 2.5 days. Do not stop at 3 days,” President Jokowi told reporters after inaugurating New Priok Container Terminal (NPCT) I, Kalibaru, Tanjung Priok Major Seaport, Jakarta, on Tuesday (13/9).

Aside from Tanjung Priok Seaport, President Jokowi also called for improvement in Tanjung Perak, Belawan, and Makassar Seaports. The dwelling time in Belawan still takes 7-8 days, the President added. “Who is in charge of Belawan? (Pelindo 1). We cannot let dwelling time take 7-8 days because we cannot compete (with other countries) with that condition,” the President said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also questioned the management of Belawan Seaport regarding the fact that only 1 crane that is operated, although there are 8 cranes in total.

The President reminded that if dwelling time in Tanjung Priok takes 3.2 days, dwelling time in Belawan and Tanjung Perak seaports as well as other seaports must also reach that number. “If this condition does not change, we will be left behind. When other countries are improving, our dwelling time is still stuck at 7-8 days. There are 8 cranes here, but only one is operated,” President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi asserted that he and his Ministers always monitor the situation on the ground.

“I thought once Tanjung Priok Seaport is improved, other seaports will follow suit. The situation here has indeed improved, while dwelling time in other seaports still takes 7-8 days. I received the report two days ago. I think we cannot let this happen,” President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi also instructed National Police Chief Tito Karnavian to arrest those who charge illegal fee. “Arrest them. It cannot be tolerated anymore. If not, the situation will not change. Arrest them, there is no other command,” the President said.

President Jokowi reminded all that the new seaport indicates an acceleration in service and it will mark the cost reduction. The President also asserted that the decision to cut dwelling time to 2.5 days will be applied to all seaports.

“If other countries can do it, so do we,” the President stated.  (RAH/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)