IATMI proposes using barges as emergency ports in NTT

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Secretary General of the Indonesian Petroleum Engineers Association (IATMI) Hadi Ismoyo has proposed using floating barges as emergency ports to facilitate the mobility of energy distribution and aid in areas affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

“Significant damage to a number of ports and bridges has the potential to hamper mobility and energy distribution to affected areas. The solution is to use floating barges to serve as emergency ports,” Hadi said in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday.

Hadi added that the distribution of fuel to public filling stations and LPG to its depots could be carried out using drones.

“Technology like this is already widely used in China for disaster mitigation,” Hadi said.

“Pertamina is the only state-owned enterprise entrusted with distributing fuel and LPG as part of Pertamina’s public obligations to the people. During this independence commemoration period, they must not be left without access to energy, no matter the cost that Pertamina must bear. That is what independence means for ordinary people,” Hadi said.

Previously, Pertamina Vice President of Corporate Communication Muhammad Baron said Pertamina continues to ensure energy distribution remains operational despite a number of areas facing transport access constraints due to the earthquake.

Pertamina has prepared alternative distribution routes and is coordinating with the government and various parties to maintain supply smoothness.

In addition to maintaining the availability of fuel and LPG, the Pertamina Group is also distributing humanitarian aid.

The assistance includes ready-to-eat meals, mineral water, biscuits and instant milk. Support also covers health and hygiene supplies, portable toilets, and 3,000-watt generators to help meet the basic needs of communities in affected locations.