Nipa Island located nearby Singapore and international shipping routes opens economic opportunities. “We want to utilize this strategic position for our economy. However, we should also build Nipa for our outermost defense function,” said President Susilo bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) when visiting Nipa Island in 2012.
29 hectares of Nipa Island will be used for economic development and the rest 15 hectares will be used for defense and security activities.
This island can be developed as a logistic hub for vessels intending to enter Singapore. According to the plan, on this island, there will be gas stations with 5 million liters capacity per month.
The security of berthed vessels is guaranteed by Indonesian Military (TNI) officers guarding it.
The opportunity to make Nipa Island as an alternative place for gas station is widely opened. So far, Singapore becomes the berthing place for US and China’s vessels or military corvettes for storing supplies.
Both powerful countries are competing in South China Sea or Pacific Ocean. US and China used to offer international shipping route security in Malacca Strait.
Berth construction to accommodate big vessels is under completion. Every berth will be able to serve 5 vessels with overall capacity of 50 thousand tons.
Moreover, Maritime and Fishery (KP) Ministry in Sharif Cicip Sutardjo’s era also planned to make Nipa Island as fishery production window, monitoring facility, and outermost small island utilization.
If it is realized, Nipa Island can attract foreign or domestic tourists who want to see various fish culture. (Rakyat Merdeka)
