Jokowi Inaugurates Maritime Facilities Worth Rp 600b
Jakarta. President Joko Widodo opened a sixth dock at Bakauheuni port in Lampung and welcomed the arrival of three new ferries owned by state-owned ferry operator ASDP Indonesia Ferry at the weekend.
Construction of the dock cost Rp 121 billion ($9 billion), while the ferries, which have the capacity to accommodate 812 people and 142 cars, cost Rp 483 billion.
"Acceleration in infrastructure development, especially in the maritime sector, must be a priority, because two-thirds of Indonesian territory is made of ocean," Joko said in a statement.
Joko has pledged to invest heavily in maritime infrastructure across Indonesia in order to improve connectivity and make the most of the country's maritime resources. He has outlined plans to establish a "sea toll road" linking Indonesia's westernmost and easternmost provinces.
The Bakauheuni port serves as a connection point for Java, the archipelago's most populous island, and its second most populous island, Sumatra, which is rich in minerals and plantation areas.
The government is anticipating higher traffic between the two islands ahead of Idul Fitri celebrations, which mark the end of Ramadan on July 17-18.
Investor Daily
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