Port of Rotterdam Authority Signs Deal on Nes Deep-sea Port in Indonesia

By Manik Mehta ROTTERDAM, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- The Port of Rotterdam Authority (PRA) has signed a partnership agreement with the Indonesian Port Corporation Pelindo 1 in Medan, Northern Sumatra, for the development of the new deep sea-port Kuala Tanjung in the Strait of Malacca. Kuala Tanjung is being presented by Indonesia’s maritime authority as a spearhead project in the country’s maritime strategy that aims to create a string of 35 ports across the country in the next half decade. In terms of the agreement, the PRA will now carry out a feasibility study for the new port in cooperation with Pelindo 1. According to information provided to Bernama by the PRA, the two sides intended to create a project organisation for this purpose, that will also include a number of PRA employees based locally and in Rotterdam. Asked if the PRA will create a joint venture with Pelindo 1 for the further realisation of the new port project, the PRA said that this would depend on the results of the feasibility study. The Indonesian government, under President Joko Widodo, has made it a priority to focus on economic development by building up infrastructure that will strengthen the country’s maritime sector, besides attracting foreign investments and technology. The port’s location in the Strait of Malacca will provide a strong fillip to Indonesia’s foreign trade because this is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. -- BERNAMA