Pelindo II Sterilizes Cirebon Port

Pelindo II Sterilizes Cirebon Port

CIREBON – PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) II/IPC promotes port sterilization process in all chapters located on the firm’s working environment, including in Cirebon Port, West Java. This sterilization is conducted as the form of International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code implementation. It goes along with International maritime Organization (IMO) ISPS Code regulation stating port is an area sterilized from the people having no direct interest with port activity.

“Currently, sterilization activities are promoted in Cirebon Port since the presence of coal workers really disrupts port service and stevedoring activity. Their presence is troublesome since they often rob coal forcefully from every barge entering the port,” said Cirebon-Chapter IPC General Manager, Hudadi Soerja Djanegara, in his written statement to Investor Daily on Tuesday (12/16).

Cirebon Port management has conducted various curbing efforts to coal workers starting from socialization to the related stakeholders to stricter security around port area. However, the impact of the curbing is entry gate blockade in Cirebon Port by coal workers which has occurred for a week. This blockade disrupts stevedoring and service activities at port. It not only disrupts coal truck activity but also oil, asphalt, and other trucks since they cannot enter and leave Cirebon Port.

Entry gate blockade for a week really disrupts stevedoring activities at port. More than 400 coal workers, he said, have robbed coal loads from every barge and have inflicted loss to commodity owners for billions rupiah. “Further loss is also experienced by industrial players due to the halt of coal distribution as the main commodity of Cirebon Port used as fuel for various industries in West Java,” Hudadi said.

Cirebon Port is the port having strategic role in handling around 90% bulk whose 80% is dry bulk in form of coal. Its strategic location nearby Central Java Province makes Cirebon Port a feeder port. Therefore, ISPS Code enforcement in port area becomes the main priority.

Strict ISPS Code enforcement action is also implemented since the early 2014. The activity is started by socializing entry pass to Cirebon Port, by preparing security and operational facilities, by coordinating with related stakeholders including Port Authority, Indonesian Stevedoring Firm Association (APBMI), Indonesian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA), local government, and local security officers.

As the part of main port operators in Indonesia, Cirebon-Chapter IPC also keeps trying to conduct improvement in security and port service quality. In the future, Cirebon-Chapter IPC also expected to improve productivity through the port operation.

“We will keep coordinating with all related stakeholders, especially security officers to curb Cirebon Port. It is conducted to create safety and security and to restore the trust to business players,” he said. (Investor Daily)