TANJUNG PRIOK PORT is one of the main arteries of the Indonesian economy. As a gateway for national and international trade, every facility in the port area is strategically important for the smooth flow of goods, logistical efficiency, and national economic competitiveness.
Therefore, the existence of the former JICT 2 Terminal at Tanjung Priok Port should not only be seen as an asset or port facility, but as part of a strategic infrastructure whose utilization needs to be optimized.
In my opinion, the operation of the former JICT 2 Terminal needs serious attention and immediate direction towards productive, transparent, and efficient utilization, as well as providing real benefits for national logistics interests.
Logistics Efficiency
Indonesia still faces the challenge of relatively high logistics costs. Every effort to streamline the flow of goods, speed up shipping and container service times, and reduce queues must be a shared concern.
The operation of the former JICT 2 Terminal, if carried out with careful planning, has the potential to be part of this solution.
Terminals should not only operate administratively, but must be able to create time efficiency, cost efficiency, service certainty, and increased productivity.
In the port industry, speed and certainty are crucial. Businesses need certainty about when goods can enter, be processed, and leave the terminal. The longer goods are held, the greater the costs incurred by businesses and, ultimately, the public.
Transparent and Professional
The urgency of operating the former JICT 2 Terminal certainly does not mean ignoring governance aspects.
On the other hand, the more strategic a terminal is, the more important it is to ensure that all operational processes are carried out transparently, professionally, and in accordance with applicable regulations.
The public, business actors, port service users, and workers in the port sector certainly hope that decisions regarding terminal operations are made based on objective studies and the interests of improving services.
Don't let short-term interests override larger strategic interests.
Economic Impact
Terminal operations must ultimately have a greater purpose than simply reviving a facility.
The most important thing is how the terminal can provide a multiplier effect for the economy.
The smoother flow of goods will support industry, trade, distribution, and other economic activities. Efficiency at ports can also help increase the competitiveness of Indonesian products in the international market.
Thus, the optimization of the former JICT 2 Terminal should be placed within a broader framework: strengthening Tanjung Priok Port as a national logistics center and increasing Indonesia's competitiveness.
Opinion Article By: Saiful Anam, Editor-in-Chief of ISL News
