Lapan's Satellites to Help Develop 24 Ports in Indonesia

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs (KKP) is now the nationwide centre of attention. This is primarily due to its function as the main platform for maritime development in Indonesia. KKP’s current preoccupation involves the development of additional 24 ports across Indonesia.

The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan) has already prepared the satellite image data which monitors the condition of the 24 ports. There are however, 2 ports that do not have the satellite image data. These 24 ports are expected to become the base camp for the development.

"There are 24 ports that are considered our priority. KKP has already received data of 22 ports. We’re working on the other two," Said The Deputy of Remote Sensing of The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan) Orbita Roswintiarti, at the Central Office of Technology and Remote Sensing Data, Pekayon, East Jakarta, Tuesday (25/11/2014).

As for KKP, Abdi explains, there will be a number of developments focusing on constructing highway above the sea that connects each harbor/port from one another. The construction of those plans will depend on the circumstances given.

"The potentiality of mangroves in the coastal area should be taken into account. We ought to see whether or not it is appropiate for such utilization, that is the development of motorway above the sea and the ports in between," said Abdi.

Despite the maritime ambition, there is still an obstacle that may halt the construction. In Indonesia, there are only 12 areas that possess Regional Regulations (Perda) concerning space for coastal zoning. Unfortunately, those areas have not even fully meet the requirements set by the Law as stated in the decree Number 12014 about National maritime spatial including zoning regions in provinces.

"Regional governments now have the responsibility to manage their own data. It is actually the right moment, especially with the presence and help of Lapan, to get the needed data," explained Abdi. (Akp/Riz)