Developing Mekar Putih Port Special Economic Zone to Join National Port Network

Mekar Putih Port in Kotabaru Regency, South Kalimantan Province, is targeted to join the national port network as part of developing the Kotabaru Special Economic Zone (KEK).

Head of South Kalimantan Provincial Transportation Office Fitri Heryadi stated on Monday (9 March) that the provincial government had proposed Mekar Putih Port be included in the National Port Master Plan (RIPN) 2026. “We have submitted it to the Ministry of Transportation and the process is underway. We will also complete the feasibility study and docking facilities requested by Bappenas as supporting documents to accelerate the KEK status,” she said.

Previously, the Transportation Office, together with the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), a team from the Institute of Technology Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), and the prospective KEK operator, held an audience with the Directorate General of Marine Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation regarding the proposal to include the new Mekar Putih Port in the National Port Master Plan (RIPN) for 2026.

Head of the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of South Kalimantan, Suprapti Tri Astuti, stated that making Mekar Putih Port in Kotabaru a national port is an important part of regional logistics integration. “This step is expected to be a major catalyst in accelerating the development of the special economic zone in Kotabaru Regency, whilst also supporting the New Capital Nusantara,” she said.

The inclusion of Mekar Putih in the national port map will provide legal certainty and investment attractiveness in South Kalimantan, particularly in coastal areas. Suprapti further stated that the provincial government was implementing a risk-sharing scheme in the development and management of Mekar Putih Port.

“The physical construction of port facilities becomes the responsibility of the operator or the company holding the KEK concession. This strategy was adopted so that the government does not bear excessive financial burden, given that this port is profit-oriented for industrial zones,” Suprapti said.

Meanwhile, the South Kalimantan provincial government will continue to ensure the economic ecosystem in the KEK area progresses, through developing supporting infrastructure outside the port area.