Indonesian state-owned port operator, Pelindo II, has announced plans to build an additional terminal to handle finished vehicles and automotive spare parts at its Kalibaru Harbour project, at the Port of Tanjung Priok in north Jakarta. Initial investment in the Kalibaru Port development is expected to cost around $2.4 billion
According to Bimo Widihatmoko, director of the Tanjung Priok Car Terminal (TPT), existing facilities are currently congested, with no additional space available in which to expand operations. As a result, all extra finished vehicles will be handled by the new area, which will be adjacent to planned container handling facilities, and also a liquid bulk dock.
"TPT's current capacity is 250,000 units per year and it is not enough," stressed Widihatmoko, noting that import-export volumes had remained at high levels since the beginning of the year. If new capacity were not found, finished vehicles business could run the risk of stagnation.
In the meantime, to reduce the high density of vehicles stored at TPT, units are being placed in a temporary area close by, which is under the supervision of the Tanjung Priok Customs and Excise Authority.
Kalibaru Port will be located in North Jakarta and has already received approval from the Transport Ministry. Spokesperson, Bambang Ervan, noted, "The operator has to start the first phase of the Kalibaru Port construction within one year so that the new port will be able to commence operations as originally planned in 2014."
Pelindo II is also planning the construction of three other new ports in Tanjung Sawuh, Batam; Riau Islands province; and Sorong in West Papua.
