We all must appreciate the progress of Kijing Terminal development in West Kalimantan. According to data, up to date, its construction has reached 40% and is expected to be completed according to the plan, thus starting operation by July 2020. We also appreciate that there are some foreign shipping lines and some leading cargo owners that have expressed their initial interest to do business at this terminal.
However, port operator and government should pay attention to voices of those shipping lines and cargo owners. They noted that the accesses connecting Kijing Terminal with some West Kalimantan industrial centers should be developed in parallel with the terminal development.
Sunarno, an executive of National Shipping Company Tresna Muda Sejati, agent of Wan Hai in Indonesia, affirmed the initial interest of this Taiwan shipping company. But, he noted shipping lines asked for a better access connecting this terminal with some industries.
“Now, it spends more than 2 and half hours to trip by private cars from Pontianak to Kijing. Trucks must be much longer. So, this calls for a total improvement to attract investors, especially shipping lines, to do business within this terminal,” he said.
Hamdan Godang, West Kalimantan Branch Head of National Shipping Line Tanto, echoed the view, saying the provincial government has planned to build toll roads, but questioned the real action to accelerate the program realization. He also noted that the access is not only relating to toll road, but the access that directly connect to industry centers.
“Provincial government has to build massive access, not only toll roads, but also access to industry and the special access that will not disturb the community mobility. For example, build a ring road around Pontianak is a good solution,” he said.
Earlier, West Kalimantan Governor Sutarmidji explained that the government would back up this Kijing Terminal through development of port access road, including development of Pontianak – Singkawang Toll Road. In addition, the provincial government would help with easy permit for any investment in this province, especially the investment for industries that will be integrated with the port.
“The toll road of 144km connecting Pontianak to Singkawang will soon be contructed. This will be a key access to Kijing port. In addition, the completion of Trans Kalimantan is also a very potential access for this terminal,” he said.
