Pelindo I upgrades seaports

MEDAN, North Sumatra (Antara): PT Pelabuhan Indonesia I (Pelindo I) plans to spend Rp 11.3 billion upgrading some of its seaports in North Sumatra in the 1997/1998 financial year.

"These funds will be allocated to a project which covers dredging of port basins, coastal reclamation and pier and warehouse rehabilitation", PT Pelindo I spokesman Hasyim Lubis said here over the weekend.

This project will affect PT Pelindo I's Belawan, Tanjung Balai, Sibolga, Gunung Sitoli and Nias Island ports.

Lubis said the project to upgrade and rehabilitate the facilities and infrastructure of these ports was part of Pelindo I's plan to improve its service. Pelindo I, a state enterprise, is supervised by the Ministry of Transport.

PT Pelindo I will also conduct a human resources improvement program in 1997 for its and other companies' staff.

Lubis said that shipping, cargo handling and the number of passengers using the ports would increase in 1997.

PT Pelindo I supervises nine seaports in its area of operation, which includes Aceh, North Sumatra and Riau.

To support the Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand Growth Triangle, PT Pelindo I would cooperate with the Malaysian seaport of Port Klang, which aimed to raise commodity exports from the growth triangle, Lubis said.