Indonesia has begun constructing the first phase of a maritime industrial zone project at the Batubalai Port in Tanggamus regency in Lampung, Sumatra.
The first phase covering 263 hectares is expected to be completed in two years’ time.
Some 333 hectares of land has been set aside at Batubalai Port for the project, which will eventually cover more than 1,000 hectares owned by state oil and gas company PT Pertamina, according to a report by the Jakarta Post.
The project will involve the building of a dock, a crude oil terminal, a ship recycling yard, and warehouses.
The Tanggamus maritime industrial area will be the country’s fourth biggest shipbuilding site after Surabaya, Cilegon, and Batam. It is also reportedly set to become one of the largest maritime industrial areas in Southeast Asia.
This year, funding for the project is placed at US$908,000, and capitalization will more than double in in 2014.
Tanggamus was chosen as the project site because it is home to Semaka Bay, which has a deep sea level and is protected from high waves. The site, which spans some 3,500 hectares, is also located close to the Indian Ocean and Sunda Strait.
The maritime industrial hub is part of the Masterplan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development in Tanggamus.
Photo: Catriona Ward
