Batam, gokepri – BP Batam, the Indonesian government agency responsible for developing the Batam industrial zone, has brought in a state-of-the-art ship to shore (STS) crane to improve container handling services at Batu Ampar Port. The crane, which was transported from South Korea’s Pohang Port on the Dong Bang Giant No 1 ship, was produced by Korin Corporation.
According to Muhammad Rudi, chief of the Batam Indonesia Free Trade Zone Authority (BIFZA), also known as BP Batam, the STS crane was ordered in 2022 and arrived at Batu Ampar on Saturday, April 8, 2023. The purchase of the crane is part of BP Batam’s plan to modernize the port and keep up with technological advancements.
Although Batu Ampar Port has been operational for decades, it was still using conventional manual cranes until last year. Rudi believes that upgrading the port’s equipment is essential to meet the growing demand for more efficient container handling services.
“Technology has advanced significantly, and we ordered the STS crane to ensure that Batu Ampar Port keeps up with other ports in the region,” Rudi said on Sunday, April 9, 2023. With the new crane, which can handle up to 35 containers per hour, BP Batam hopes to speed up the loading and unloading of containers from ships to the shore. According to the company, the STS crane can handle each container in less than two minutes.
The addition of the STS crane is a significant step towards modernizing Batu Ampar Port and improving Indonesia’s logistics infrastructure. The move is also expected to attract more businesses and increase the competitiveness of the Batam industrial zone.
Batam Aims to Become Logistics Hub for Indonesia
With container traffic at Batu Ampar Port reaching over 600,000 containers per year, the process of loading and unloading can be made faster with the use of new equipment. This new equipment is expected to solve many problems in the port, and if it runs well next year, more will be added, according to Rudi.
Furthermore, with the construction of a container yard covering 20 hectares, Batam is on track to becoming a logistics hub. In other words, Batam is ready to become a container storage location for anyone, as it is a free trade zone where any goods can enter.
“Goods can be stored here and taken out without any further processing. Today, containers may only enter for the needs of residents or communities in Batam. However, in the future, Batam will become a logistics hub for other regions or even the entire country,” Rudi stated.
Once Batam becomes a logistics hub, the government’s target for the land side can be achieved. Additionally, the spokesperson hopes that relevant agencies will provide services to owners of goods, especially in terms of pilotage services. This will enable owners of goods to calculate their estimated arrival time.
“On the land side, everything is secured and there is already trust from owners of goods. On the sea side, I hope that relevant agencies will provide services to owners of goods, especially in terms of tugboats and other equipment, so that people have confidence in the timing, as time is everything for businesses,” Rudi added.
If the land and sea sides can be managed well, owners of goods will compete to store their goods in Batam, including at Hang Nadim Airport, which has already been prepared for this purpose. Therefore, there will be no obstacles that hinder the process. This is just the beginning and Batam plans to keep improving.
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