Candidate chosen to be key Indonesian port

The government is finalising plans to build Cilamaya port in Karawang, West Java, as a main candidate to substitute for Tanjung Priok port, reported Bisnis Indonesia.

The potential location was identified following the completion of a review conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Cilamaya port was initially prepared by state port operator (Pelindo) II to substitute for Tanjung Priok port due to its strategic location as it was near to manufacturing centres.

Deputy Minister of Transportation Bambang Susantono stated Cilamaya port Karawang was the main candidate out of several locations reviewed by the JICA over the past several months.

He explained there were many reasons for the government to make Cilamaya the main candidate, one of which being its nearness to industry centres.

However, he continued, the ministry would still conduct an intensive review before deciding the build a new port in Cilamaya.

Bambang asserted the new port would not substitute for Tanjung Priok port as PT Pelindo II once announced. "Although there will be a new port in Cilamaya, Tanjung Priok port will keep operating."

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is conducting a review to determine a new location for a new port designed to substitute for Tanjung Priok port in the next five years.

Director of Port and Dredging at the Ministry of Transportation Suwandi Saputro said there were five locations reviewed, namely Cilamaya [Karawang], Bekasi, Marunda, East Ancol, and Tangerang.

Previously, PT Pelindo II stated it would develop a new hub port mega-project in Karawang, West Java, with a capacity of 10 million TEUs of containers per annum to substitute for Tanjung Priok port in the next five years.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)