SEMARANG – Employers in Central Java are asked to maximize the utilization of Tanjung Emas Port, Semarang, for export-import activity along with the improvement of facility and infrastructure in the area.
Tanjung Emas Port Authority and Harbormaster Office Head, Karolus Sangaji, said until now, service capacity and quality at the port is boosted to facilitate trading activities in Central Java and Yogyakarta.
In addition, Central Java becomes a region for investment in industrial sector. Therefore, he said, all institutions related to the activity at the port expected employers in Central Java can utilize port facility more. So far, he said, many firms still conduct export-import through Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya.
“Whereas, Tanjung Emas Port is ready to serve the need,” he said in the sidelines of Integrated Physical Inspection Facility (TPFT) inauguration of Tanjung Emas Port on Thursday (1/8).
According to him, berth addition is being worked on to give more space to berth vessels. Semarang Container Terminal (TPKS), he explained, must also be expanded.
Moreover, he explained his office has also facilitated TPKS with TPFT which eases and accelerates commodity traffic. The facility integrates inspection activity such as customs and quarantine body of exported-imported commodities. “We hope the firms in Central Java can utilize it all,” he said.
In similar occasion, TPKS General Manager, Iwan Sabatini, stated stevedoring volume growth in Tanjung Emas Port keeps increasing every year.
He said his office is developing berth facility by adding berth length for 105 meters, container yard for 5.3 hectares, and facility procurement such as automatic rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) and container crane.
He added the physical construction was projected to be completed in the middle of this year. However, the new facilities will begin operation in early 2016.
Meanwhile, PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) III General Manager, Tri Suhardi, said Tanjung Emas Port has not been optimally utilized for commodity and passenger. “Only 50 percent is utilized. Therefore, it is not optimal and its usage can still be improved,” he said. (Bisnis Indonesia)
