ITS Seatrans Cooperated with Pelindo 1 to Develop Science and Technology in Port

ITS Campus, Seatrans News – Along with the inauguration of the new building of the Department of Marine Transportation Engineering (DTTL) of the Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS) on Friday (13/3), Managing Director of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) I, Dian Rachmawan also took part in the public lecture. Not only discussing related to the port sector, on this occasion also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on research collaboration and the use of science and technology with Pelindo 1.

PT Pelindo 1 is a State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) with its main business as a port operator in the Sumatra region which oversees 16 branches. Currently, various developments are carried out in the working area of ​​Pelindo 1. While carrying out these developments, DTTL ITS also contributes ideas and planning for each development carried out.

One of the major projects currently underway at Pelindo 1 is the development of the infrastructure of the Port of Kuala Tanjung in North Sumatra Province towards increasing its role as an International Hub. “Making Kuala Tanjung an international hub is not just copying other international hub ports, because the conditions are certainly different,” explained Dian Rachmawan, Managing Director of Pelindo 1.

“Not necessarily we are tracing Singapore which has become an international hub,” added the ITS Department of Electrical Engineering alumnus. He explained that, Singapore is a transit port, no goods will be unloaded and loaded which is Singapore’s production. It is different from the conditions around the Port of Kuala Tanjung, where there are still a lot of production of palm oil and agricultural products as well as manufacturers.

“Therefore, in addition to being an international hub, we are also still a destination port and origin port,” he said. Destination port itself means the destination port, which is the final destination of the delivery of commodities from other ports. Whereas the origin port means the port of origin, which is a port that is a place for loading commodities or products processed from the surrounding area.

In addition, the man who is familiarly called Dian added, as a company, Pelindo 1 is also the same as business organizations in general, has the motivation to get the maximum profit or profit. Whereas the owner of the goods or shipping company that uses the services of Pelindo 1 has the principle to minimize the costs incurred for shipping goods or cargo.

“Meanwhile, controlling port tariffs to date has also been a challenge for the government and port operators in Indonesia,” Dian said. Because the tariff, he added, would have an impact on shipping costs to the unit price of goods, which is still relatively high in Indonesia.

This was proven by Indonesia’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) which ranked 46th in the world with a score of 3.15 in 2018. This position is below other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore.

Thus, Dian said, the need for special divisions or institutions established by the government, integrated with universities and companies to deal with maritime pricing and logistics issues. “Here the role of ITS Sea Transportation Engineering becomes important, especially in conducting every study of maritime logistics policies,” said Dian.

Two important points conveyed by Dian, both infrastructure development and other developments at the port to the issue of pricing and integration in the field of maritime logistics, require a significant role for universities. “Therefore, this collaboration can hopefully be a good start for Indonesia’s maritime going forward,” said Dian.

The contents of the memorandum of understanding agreed by DTTL ITS with Pelindo 1 is the provision of consulting services in accordance with the scientific field of DTTL as well as assistance in providing literature related to port to Pelindo 1. Then the most important is the development of Human Resources for both parties. Pelindo 1 provides opportunities for DTTL students to be able to carry out fieldwork practices in Pelindo 1. In addition there is also education and training, knowledge sharing, and general lectures by DTTL to Pelindo 1.

Dian hopes, with this collaboration, collaboration can occur in a positive direction for the development of a sustainable maritime sector. “Build your sea so Indonesia will be given mercy, leave your sea so Indonesia will be given the curse.” concluded Dian, quoting Lieutenant Colonel P Salim from the book My Fish My Life, motivating DTTL students. (dnr / yus)