Jakarta (ANTARA) - The construction of the Tanjung Wangi Multipurpose Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, could reduce the burden on Bali as the crossing route between West Nusa Tenggara and East Java, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has said.
"The construction of the Tanjung Wangi Multipurpose Port can serve ship direct crossing from Banyuwangi to Lombok, Sumba or Sumbawa, so that it will no longer burden Bali's ship traffic," he expounded while visiting Tanjung Wangi Port here on Thursday.
The minister said that currently, the Port Master Plan for Tanjung Wangi Port's development is in the process of being submitted and it will be followed up with a study later.
According to him, Tanjung Wangi Port has enormous potential to be developed as a regional port as its location is adjacent to Ketapang Port.
Later, the port will be able to accommodate container ships with a capacity of 17 thousand tons that can carry 100 land vehicles. The port is as large as Ketapang Port in terms of capacity so it is considered to be very efficient.
"Tanjung Wangi Port is close to Ketapang Port, so it has the potential to be developed as a regional port between Java and Lombok," he said.
The minister expressed the hope that there will be private sector participation in the development of Tanjung Wangi Port.
Sumadi said that the private sector can help reduce the burden on the state budget for the port's development.
Meanwhile, he suggested a management cooperation scheme for the pattern of cooperation.
"The port development will be under collaboration with the private sector, namely with the management cooperation scheme. I also urged to maximize the development so that it becomes efficient," he said.
