Pelindo and KSOP Tanjung Perak Collaboration to Improve Ro-Ro Ship Service Safety

Surabaya, 06 November 2024 - In an effort to improve the safety and quality of Ro-Ro ship services at Tanjung Perak Port, PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) or Pelindo together with the Tanjung Perak Main Class Syahbandar and Port Authority Office (KSOP) collaborated to initiate the formation of new regulations related to the Ro-Ro Passenger Ship Service Procedure System at Tanjung Perak Port. This regulation is expected to improve safety, speed up the loading and unloading process and reduce ship waiting time.

This was discussed in the Focus Group Discussion on Improving Ro-Ro and Passenger Ship Services in Surabaya (05/11). The event was attended by KSOP Main Class of Tj. Perak, Managing Director of Pelindo, Head of Sub-Directorate of Operational Supervision of Rivers, Lakes and Crossings of the Ministry of Transportation, NTSC, Head of the Java-Bali National Road Implementation Centre, Head of Operations of Korlantas Polri, Chairman of Gapasdap, Representative of the Chairman of DPP INSA and a number of stakeholders and associations of service users.

The activity discussed the collaboration between Pelindo and the Ministry of Transportation, especially KSOP Tanjung Perak Main Class, to improve the safety of Ro-Ro and passenger ship services at Tanjung Perak Port.

The cross-stakeholder discussion resulted in at least 3 conclusions, including an agreement on the clearance area for truck transport with a maximum height of 4.2 metres, setting the maximum weight of truck cargo that will board the ship by taking into account safety aspects and implementing a windows berthing system for Ro-Ro passenger ship services. The conclusion was also marked by the signing of a joint commitment to implement the safety of Ro-Ro passenger ship services at Tanjung Perak Port. 

Head of KSOP Tanjung Perak Main Class, Agustinus Maun, in his remarks said that the growth of Ro-Ro ship flows signals the importance of improving Ro-Ro ship and passenger services. Moreover, the majority of transport that utilises Ro-Ro ship services are trucks with loads exceeding capacity. Therefore, a special regulation is needed so that Ro-Ro ship and passenger services can be guaranteed. Agustinus also encourages this regulatory initiative as a pioneer in the application of Ro-Ro transport in all ports in Indonesia. 

‘The growth of Ro-Ro ships, especially at Tanjung Perak Port, is very high, but the dilemma is that the users of this Ro-Ro ship service are trucks with a capacity exceeding the load limit. This condition from a security aspect is considered very lacking and has the potential to increase shipping safety risks, damage port facilities such as docks. Therefore, we need to sit together and encourage efforts to solve this problem so that later this service is better as well as a pioneer of Ro-Ro service safety in all ports in Indonesia,’ said Agustinus.  

In line with this, Pelindo Managing Director, Putut Sri Muljanto, said that Pelindo as a port operator strongly supports efforts to improve the service and safety of Ro-Ro ships and passengers. However, this cannot be done alone but requires support from various parties ranging from regulators, service user associations, police to trucking entrepreneurs in the port area. 

Putut added that currently Pelindo in the Tanjung Perak Port area has prepared a buffer area for the consolidation of truck loads before entering the ship. In addition, a special Vehicle Waiting Room (RTK) is also prepared to reduce the density of vehicles before heading to the port. However, it is necessary to encourage a special regulation governing the security and safety of transport that will utilise the Ro-Ro service. 

‘We as port operators are very hopeful that there will be joint efforts in improving the service and safety of Ro-Ro and Passengers in our port area. In terms of facilities and services, we continue to make improvements, but still need support in the form of special regulations that do not harm service entrepreneurs, and we operators in order to ensure the safety of transport that will utilise Ro-Ro services. We believe, if it can be done here, it is not impossible if we can apply the same thing in our other ports,’ Putut said. 

Previously, Surabaya's Tanjung Perak Port was listed as the busiest port in Indonesia in terms of Ro-Ro ship services. Data from Pelindo during 2023 a total of 363 thousand vehicles loading and unloading through Ro-Ro services. While the flow of ships, in the last 10 years increased from 279 calls in 2013 to 1911 calls in 2023.  This condition stimulates regulators, operators, and service users to sit together and discuss regulations governing service improvement and security and safety of Ro-Ro Ship services not only at Tanjung Perak Port but also all ports in Indonesia.