South Kalimantan prepares development of Mekar Putih International Port
Kotabaru Regency is in a very strategic position as it is crossed by ALKI II. This is an international sea route in the Makassar Strait, so the potential for port development is very large.
Banjarmasin (ANTARA) - The Transportation Department of South Kalimantan Province is contributing to the preparation of the development plan for the Mekar Putih International Port in Kotabaru Regency, which is one of the strategic projects in the province.
The Head of the South Kalimantan Transportation Department, Fitri Hernadi, explained that the Mekar Putih location has a very strategic position because it is crossed by the Indonesian Sea Route (ALKI) II, which is an international shipping lane that passes through the Makassar Strait between Kalimantan and Sulawesi.
“Kotabaru Regency is in a very strategic position because it is crossed by ALKI II. This is an international sea route in the Makassar Strait, so the potential for port development is very large,” he said in Banjarbaru, Thursday.
In addition to the shipping lane factor, the Mekar Putih area also has a sea depth of around 20 meters.
According to Fitri, the port is expected to become a logistics distribution hub, including supporting the needs towards the State Capital of Nusantara (IKN) and other regions in Kalimantan from South Kalimantan.
From a regulatory perspective, the local government has been actively corresponding with the Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation. As a result, the Mekar Putih Port has officially been included in the National Port Master Plan (RIPN).
“With the issuance of the RIPN, in principle, the Mekar Putih Port already has the basis to be operated by a business entity that will later become the manager,” explained Fitri.
However, Fitri emphasized that the project is currently in the planning stage.
One of the important prerequisites that must be met is the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (KEK) which will be the operational base for the port.
“The KEK must be established first. The designation process is not easy because it is the authority of the National KEK Council and requires infrastructure readiness,” he said.
In addition, the inclusion of the Mekar Putih Port development in the RIPN has also been accompanied by the construction of the Pulau Laut Kalimantan Bridge.
In the process of building this vital bridge, the South Kalimantan Provincial Transportation Department plays a role in correspondence with the Directorate General of Sea Transportation for the issuance of clearance below the bridge for the safety of shipping and with the Directorate General of Air Transportation for the issuance of clearance above to guarantee the safety of flights that pass above the bridge.
“The South Kalimantan Provincial Government hopes that the entire synchronization and preparation process can run smoothly, so that the development of the Mekar Putih International Port can continue soon and have an economic impact on the region,” he concluded.