Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi expresses optimism over the potential impact of Makassar New Port on regional development following its inauguration on 22nd February 2024 by President Joko Widodo
INDONESIAN Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi conveyed his optimism regarding the newly inaugurated Makassar New Port, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth and equality in eastern Indonesia. He highlighted the importance of enhancing maritime connectivity to bolster the nation’s progress, as stated in a release from his office on 22 February 2024.
Minister Sumadi accompanied President Joko Widodo who attended the inauguration ceremony of the Makassar New Port in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on 22nd February 2024. The port is poised to strengthen Makassar’s position as a crucial logistics gateway in eastern Indonesia and facilitate connectivity to international trade routes.
Bapak Sumadi underscored that the Makassar New Port stands out as one of Indonesia’s robust ports, equipped to accommodate large vessels from around the world. With a current capacity of 2.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually, the port is positioned to emerge as a national and world-class international hub, he noted.
President Jokowi emphasised the significance of Makassar New Port in reducing logistics costs across Indonesia, particularly in the eastern region. He highlighted the substantial decline in logistics costs over the past decade, albeit still slightly higher compared to other countries, attributing the reduction to improved integration between ports and industrial areas.
The president also addressed the issue of dwelling time, which has seen significant improvement, with the average duration now below three days. Notably, the port’s capacity has been augmented by 150 percent, reaching 2.5 million TEUs annually, while the time for ships to dock has been reduced to a maximum of 24 hours, down from the previous 48 hours.
Source: Antara News
