SEMARANG – Stevedoring activities in Semarang Container Terminal (TPKS) will not be affected even though the government bans batik cloth and other commodity imports.
TPKS General Manager, Iwan Sabatini, said some exported commodities produced in Central Java mostly rely on imported raw materials such as textile and textile product industries.
“Therefore, I think import ban for certain commodities to Indonesia will not affect it. Stevedoring activity for imported commodity is still high,” he told Bisnis on Tuesday (1/20).
His office is optimistic commodity stevedoring volume in TPKS still shows hike. During 2009-2013, the average stevedoring growth was around 5-10% per year. Meanwhile in 2013-2014, it grew up to 15%.
TPKS data along 2009 stated the number of berthed vessel reached 560 vessels while in 2010 there were 573 vessels, in 2011, there were 596 vessels. In 2012, there were 528 vessels while in 2013, there were 566 vessels, and in 2014, there were 662 vessels.
In addition, in terms of container stevedoring activity, 2009 saw 219,332 containers (356,461 TEUs) and 2010 saw 236,245 containers (384,522 TEUs).
Last year, stevedoring volume reached 359,135 containers (575,670 TEUs).
TPKS targeted stevedoring volume growth hike in 2015 of 342,773 containers (548,371 TEUs). Until 2018, his office still eyes for 947,585 stevedoring volume.
Related to container handling growth anticipation in the next year, he said, currently berth is being extended for 105 meters length and container yard is being extended for 5.3 hectares, and 11 Automatic Rubber Tyred Gantries (RTG) are procured.
Semarang Tanjung Emas Port Manager for Human Resources and Public, Nugroho Christianto, said this year, PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) III Semarang is focusing on revitalizing trailer parking lot and adding security officers.
Pelindo III, he said, will not do nothing after seeing high rain intensity since last month.
“We make dam and control channel so sea water will not enter the port.”
PT Pelindo III also plans to separate passenger and industrial areas like Berikat Area. Passenger area will also be relocated to Tambak Lorong, Semarang. Overall, he said, passengers will not be mixed with industry. (Bisnis Indonesia)
