TANJUNG PRIOK PORT is more than just a gateway for goods to enter and exit Jakarta. It is a key hub in the national logistics system, strategically positioned to support trade, industry, goods distribution, and Indonesia's economic growth.
Therefore, when discussing the future of Tanjung Priok, attention should not be solely focused on the issue of traffic congestion on land. Waterside development must be a key component of the strategy to increase the port's capacity and competitiveness.
This is increasingly relevant given the government's issuance of Minister of Transportation Decree No. KM 11 of 2024 concerning the Integrated Master Plan for Tanjung Priok and Marunda Ports. This regulation serves as a crucial basis for directing the development and expansion of the port area in a more integrated manner.
Don't Just Enlarge the Land Side
So far, discussions about Tanjung Priok traffic jams have often focused on the length of truck queues, road capacity, access to the terminal, and traffic management.
This issue is indeed important. However, its resolution will not be optimal if it is only addressed on land.
A port is essentially a system connecting ships, docks, terminals, storage yards, roads, railways, and hinterland areas. If the capacity of any link is unbalanced, the entire system will be impacted.
Therefore, increasing the capacity of the sea side must go hand in hand with improvements to the land side.
The development of shipping lanes, harbor basins, turning basins, anchorage areas, piers, breakwaters, and other supporting facilities must be placed as part of a large design for the development of Tanjung Priok Port.
Sea Side
One of the keys to port competitiveness is the ability to serve ships safely, quickly and efficiently.
This means that the development of the sea side must answer a fundamental question: can ships of increasing size and characteristics enter, maneuver, dock, load and unload, and then exit the port with increasingly shorter waiting times?
Previous master plans have demonstrated the importance of developing shipping channels and port basins, including channel widening and developing turning basins to improve safety and ship serviceability.
In today's context, this principle remains relevant. In fact, the challenges are even greater because the growth of international trade requires ports to have the capacity, depth, navigational safety, and productivity to keep pace with the growing size of ships and the volume of cargo flow.
Thus, dredging is not simply routine maintenance. Within the framework of long-term development, channel and basin depth are investments in port competitiveness.
Shipping Route
There's a tendency to view shipping lanes and port basins as invisible to the public. In fact, these facilities are a key determinant of the smooth operation of a port.
Ships require channels with appropriate dimensions and depths. They also require safe space for turning, maneuvering, waiting their turn, and mooring and undocking.
This means that the development of the sea side must take into account comprehensively:
- depth of shipping lane;
- groove width and configuration;
- lap pool capacity;
- mooring pool capacity;
- ship anchorage area;
- breakwater conditions;
- safety and navigation of shipping;
- characteristics of the ship to be serviced;
- sedimentation and dredging requirements;
- environmental impacts of coastal areas.
With this approach, development is not merely about increasing the length of the pier or the area of the terminal, but rather ensuring that the entire marine ecosystem is able to function optimally.
Don't Stop Being a Document
The biggest challenge in port development is not just preparing a master plan.
What is far more important is ensuring that the master plan is translated into a consistent, measurable and sustainable development program.
The master plan should be a reference when the government, port operators, regulators, local governments, service users and other stakeholders make decisions.
If every problem is solved partially, port development has the potential to lose direction.
On the other hand, if each investment refers to the master plan, development can be carried out in stages according to priorities, traffic needs, funding capabilities, safety aspects and environmental carrying capacity.
Development Must Be Environmentally Friendly
Seaside development should also not ignore the environment.
Dredging, reclamation, breakwater construction and changes in water configuration can affect coastal dynamics, sedimentation, water quality and marine ecosystems.
Therefore, the principles of modern port development must combine logistical efficiency with environmental sustainability.
The port of the future is not only a port capable of serving large ships, but also a port that can operate efficiently, safely, with low emissions, adapt to climate change and still pay attention to coastal areas.
Studies on the development of Tanjung Priok have also placed the issue of ecoports and integrated coastal management as an important part of the development of the port area.
Sea Side as Priority
The development of the Tanjung Priok seaside is ultimately not merely a construction project.
This is a strategic investment in the future of Indonesia's logistics system.
Ports require adequate channels, safe basins, productive docks, modern navigation facilities, reliable breakwaters, and efficient water management.
But everything must be connected to terminals, logistics areas, road networks, railways, and hinterland.
With the Integrated Master Plan for Tanjung Priok and Marunda Ports, the development direction should be clearer. The challenge now is how to translate this plan into consistent development that meets future logistics needs.
We must not act only when port capacity has truly reached saturation point.
Tanjung Priok must be prepared today for Indonesia's logistics needs in the next 10, 20, or even 30 years.
Seaside development is not an optional option. It is a key foundation for making Tanjung Priok an increasingly productive, efficient, safe, and competitive port both regionally and globally.
Therefore, it is time for all stakeholders to make the implementation of the master plan a shared agenda: developing the seaside, improving the landside, integrating the two, and ensuring that Tanjung Priok remains the backbone of Indonesia's trade connectivity.
Opinion By: Saiful Anam, Editor-in-Chief of ISL News
