Logistics Vehicle Queues at PT SMA Port Stretch Up to Five Kilometres

South Lampung (ANTARA) - Queues of logistics trucks at the auxiliary port of PT Sumur Makmur Abadi (SMA) in Sumur Village, Ketapang Subdistrict, South Lampung Regency, have stretched up to five kilometres. Based on observations at the site on Thursday, several trucks transporting logistics such as fruits, vegetables, and food necessities were stuck in traffic for up to 10 hours. Joint TNI-Polri personnel were also observed working hard to manage traffic flow to ease the severe congestion occurring on the East Trans-Sumatra Highway in Ketapang Subdistrict. One truck driver, Toni, when interviewed in front of the PT SMA port entrance, said the congestion was due to the density of logistics vehicles that had been redirected by officials to cross to Java via the PT SMA Port. “I’ve been here since 2 a.m., stuck in traffic until now and still haven’t moved to enter the port,” he said. According to him, based on information from port officials, the queue was caused by a surge in the number of vehicles, resulting in a buildup in the PT SMA area extending to the national road. Due to the congestion, he said, the drivers were complaining about the lengthy service times and the handling by the relevant parties to address the vehicle buildup. Meanwhile, the Head of Traffic Police at South Lampung Police Resort, Iptu Erza Nasution, said that his side, along with joint personnel, had been deployed to manage traffic so that the logistics vehicle buildup could be cleared. According to him, personnel would provide the best service in anticipating to prevent longer queues. “We have deployed personnel at certain points to manage traffic flow and anticipate so that traffic remains smooth. The density of the queue has partially cleared as some trucks have been diverted to Wika Beton Port,” he stated.