Holiday Ayo - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) started the inaugural voyage of the Sea Highway program in 2023 on Thursday (5/1). The voyage was carried out by KM Kendhaga Nusantara 7 starting from the Port of Tanjung Perak, Surabaya.

This ship will serve the T-14 route in 2023 with the Tanjung Perak-Larantuka (Tabilota)-Lembata (Lewoleba)-Kalabahi-Tanjung Perak shipping route.

As cited from finance.detik.com, this initial release was carried out by the Director General of Sea Transportation represented by the Director of Sea Traffic and Transportation Capt Hendri Ginting. The event was also attended by representatives from PT Pelni, the Ministry of Trade, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, and other relevant stakeholders.

"With the release of the first sea toll ship at the beginning of this year, it is hoped that it will become a new spirit for all of us in the success of the maritime highway program to meet the needs of basic and important goods (Bakpokting) to frontier, remote, underdeveloped and border areas (T3P) in accordance with mandate of Presidential Decree number 27 of 2021," said Capt Hendri, Thursday (5/1).

The Kendhaga Nusantara 7 ship carries 57 TEUs of cargo, which will deliver 21 TEUs of cargo to Larantuka, 33 TEUs to Lewoleba, and 3 TEUs to Kalabahi.

"This service is expected to accommodate logistics delivery from the sea transportation side in an effort to meet the needs of Staple and Important Materials (Bapokting) to the main areas in West Nusa Tenggara Province," said Capt Hendri.

For information, the details for the Implementation of Public Service Obligations for Sea Toll Transportation for the 2023 Fiscal Year are 39 routes. As for the details of the assignment of 20 routes, PT PELNI carried out 11 routes, PT ASDP 5 routes, and PT Djakarta Lloyd 4 routes. Coupled with a public auction for private operators as many as 19 routes.

"I thank all parties who have supported the implementation of the sea highway program in 2022 yesterday, especially for all stakeholders who have utilized sea highway ships, I hope that the implementation of the sea highway in 2023 can run even better," he said.

Meanwhile, Special Staff of the Minister of Transportation for Inter-Agency Relations Buyung Lalana said, the Sea Highway is one of the government's efforts to meet the needs of the people in the T3P area and reduce price disparities.

"The sea highway has had a big positive impact, one example is the Papua area which is experiencing changes," he said.