Nipah to become 'transit island'<\/p>\n
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Nipah Island<\/p>\n
In a move to boost the local economy as well as security in the
\nstrategic Malacca Strait, Nipah Island that directly borders
\nSingapore's waters will be developed as a transit area for ships
\npassing the key shipping lane.<\/p>\n
Located some 20 kilometers north of Batam, in Riau Island
\nprovince, Nipah Island will be developed as a transit anchorage
\narea to allow various ships to stop before entering Singapore
\nharbor.<\/p>\n
The transit island, which will be developed by PT Maxteer
\nDyrynusa Perdana, a joint venture between PT Pelabuhan Indonesia
\nI and Navy's West Armada, will also serve to supply food, water
\nand other needs.<\/p>\n
PT Maxteer's Operational Director, Sakti Prasodjo, told The
\nJakarta Post that the plan, which will be carried out in stages,
\nwas initiated considering the island's strategic location.<\/p>\n
The island, he said, is located right along the busy route
\nwhere large numbers of international ships pass the Malacca
\nStrait and Singapore Strait.<\/p>\n
In the initial phase, he added that the company and the Navy
\nwill set up an integrated service office comprising related
\noffices like immigration, customs, port administration,
\nsea and water police, and the Navy.<\/p>\n
Under the plan, the 600 square meter integrated office, the
\nconstruction of which will start late in August, will have three
\nstories and will be completed on Oct. 18 this year.<\/p>\n
\"The fee for the ships to anchor on the island while waiting
\nto enter Singapore will be based on a decree by the minister of
\ntransportation. If the fee is not competitive enough, we'll ask
\nthat it be reviewed,\" said Sakti.<\/p>\n
However, he was reluctant to disclose the amount of investment
\nto be spent on the plan, only saying that the company will also
\ndevelop several projects and facilities, including a Vessel
\nTraffic Information System which will be equipped with Closed
\nCircuit TV (CCTV) to help monitor sea traffic.<\/p>\n
\"Nipah's future as a transit island is promising if we look at
\nthe operational hours of Singapore harbor which opens from 6 a.m.
\nto 6 p.m., forcing some ships to line up. We will offer our
\nservice within that time and if possible, with a competitive
\nmooring price compared to them (Singapore),\" Sakti said.<\/p>\n
With an area of some 60 hectares, the island, which is under
\nthe authority of the Batam city administration, is only about 15
\nminutes from Singapore.<\/p>\n
First Admiral Budiharto, Navy Commander in the western region
\nincluding Batam, said the plan to turn Nipah Island into a
\ntransit island and the Navy's presence would also serve to let
\nthe international world know of the country's territorial
\nborders.<\/p>\n
\"I'm not saying that Singapore wants to take over Nipah
\nIsland, but we want the international world to know that this
\nsmall island is ours.<\/p>\n
\"The development of Nipah Island along with all its facilities
\nwill have positive impact on security in the Malacca Strait
\nbecause of its strategic location, like a police post in the
\nstreet, so we'll immediately know when there's a piracy incident
\nor anything else,\" Budiharto said.<\/p>\n
There have been rising concerns over security problems in the
\nMalacca Strait, mostly attacks and hijacking by pirates, among
\ncountries which use the waterway.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nipah-to-become-transit-island-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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