JAKARTADAILY.ID - Transportation of goods and passengers from the southern part of Java, in this case through the Port of Ketapang, Banyuwangi, East Java, is now easier to access through Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, bypassing the Island of Bali. This is due to the new Moveable Bridge being completed at Ketapang Port. The Pier IV Movable Bridge allows Ferry ships with a higher cruising range to dock.
This was conveyed by the Director of Engineering and Facilities of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Kusnadi C. Wijaya who was present at the inauguration of Pier IV Ketapang by the Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa, on Tuesday.
Kusnadi said, now the Ketapang – Lembar route is about 125 NM and is served directly from Banyuwangi. This strengthens the crossing connectivity and the logistics sector, especially long-distance ferry services that connect the islands of Java and Lombok. This will also reduce traffic density in Gilimanuk - Denpasar, while saving on road maintenance costs, reducing logistics costs, and spreading tourism development potential.
Currently, Pier IV Ketapang has served 5 ships operating with a travel time of 12 hours. In operation since December 2020 with a load factor above 75%. With the smooth operation of the Ketapang-Lembar LDF, it can support regional development around Banyuwangi and Lombok by creating new economic growth centers and supporting overall national development, supporting growth and other sector services such as tourism in the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) region, as well as providing multiplier effect on the economy in East Java and NTB.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said the presence of Pier IV could bring great benefits to the development of trade connectivity and passenger transportation between East Java and West Nusa Tenggara. "Hopefully, there will be ease, acceleration of effectiveness in building connectivity and accessibility for the transportation of goods, services and the public from Java to NTB. The better the connectivity, the cheaper, more effective, and more efficient it will be," he said.
Currently, people who are traveling between Ketapang - Lembar can purchase tickets at Sri Tanjung Terminal, Banyuwangi, and make cashless payments using electronic money cards, including Brizzi (BRI), e-Money (Mandiri), TapCash (BNI), and can also use BRI account transfers.
