Marves-Sorong, Deputy for Infrastructure and Transport Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) Ayodhia Kalake and the entourage cape to West Papua.
They came to see and know directly about the progress of both harbors which are included in the National Strategic Project (PSN) in that province. Those places are the Sorong and Are ports.
PSN itself is regulated in the Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2020 on the Third Amendment to Presidential Regulation No. 3 of 2016. It is about Accelerating the Implementation of National Strategic Projects.
The modes of transportation owned by West Papua are Sorong Port and Arar Port. Vice Regent of Sorong Suka Harjono on the occasion said that later.
Later, the port will be integrated with Sorong KEK. For an information, the Sorong and Arar Port harbor are only 36 kilometers away. That is for about one hour away.
The Three Phases for the Construction
Just like the common constructions, the existing Sorong port is also built with the proper plan. Based on the information, there are three different phases which are done for it.
The aim is for sure to make it as one of the best harbors in West Papua or even in Indonesia. Here are those three phases:
- Short – term development
This step has been done since 2016 until 2021. It is the first phase which needs for about 5 years to finish everything based on the plan.
- Middle – term development
The middle – term development will be done this year or in 2022. Based on the plan, it needs 5 years also to finish everything which means 2027 will be the end of it.
- Long – term development
As it is named, it will be the one with the longest period. Based on the information, this period is for 2028 up to 2038. It means that this development needs up to eight years to complete everything based on the plan. That is why; it must be done properly to ensure the good results.
In the future, this Sorong port in the Provincewill serve the non – commercial Service, the special terminal, and the terminal for internal needs.
The development plan of Sorong Port has been contained in Presidential Decree (KP) Number 377 of 2017 on the Port Master Plan (RIP) of Sorong, West Papua Province.
By the creation of this policy, the Container Yard (CY) of Sorong will be expanded by 5 hectares to 7.8 hectares and the extension of the pier along 340 meters. Meanwhile, the Arar Port will be built in an area of 25 hectares through the same three phases.
Those are the short-term, medium-term, and long-term. With the construction of Arar harbor, which is part of the Sea Toll, it will be able to provide smooth movement of goods in the region. That was said by Deputy Ayodhia.
Some Challenges Faces in the Arar – West Papua
Currently there are still some obstacles that cause the optimal use of Arar as a center for ship loading and unloading activities. Some of the causes, such as the presence of living coral in front of Arar Pier.
For the information, it affects the ship’s alignment motion and a narrow shipping lane with a groove depth of only about 6 meters. There is also one more thing.
There is a port pool that is not too wide to anticipate the large ships that will maneuver. The visits done by the ministers are also attended by several parties.
Those are like the transportation institution representative, the head of KEK administrator, the CEO of PT. Malamoi Olom Wobok, the General Manager of PT. Pelindo Sorong, etc.
Earlier on Monday (18-10-2021) Deputy Ayodhia also visited the other places. Those are the Waisai Port and Marindah Airport on Waisai Island, Raja Ampat Regency.
This location is one of the access in and out of the community. That also the pioneer of airport in Raja Ampat, West Papua. Currently, the airport runway has been built along 1,400 meters.
However, There is currently only one flight each week. Raja Ampat Regency as an island district, is one of the locations of the water airport development plan (seaplane) as stated in rpjmn 2020-2024.
Sea Transportation Infrastructure to Connect Some Areas
The plan to build the sea transportation infrastructure in the West Papua is an important plan and it is also right on the target. What are the reasons?
It is known that this province is so so rich for it’s natural products. That is why; the people there need the right supports to make their economic wheel run properly.
One of them is by making the right infrastructure, such as by sea. Furthermore, that also essential to support the tourism there; the example is in Raja Ampat.
The Basic infrastructure in Raja Ampat, such as public roads and clean water supply, needs special attention. The good places like that will make the world acknowledge the West Papua more.
