Semarang, C. Java (Antara Bali) - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi disclosed plan to order 100 ships from some local shipyards, including those in Juwana, Pati district, Central Java.
"I heard that in Juwana we have experts in ship construction. The ships have good quality, made from merbau tree. The workmanship is remarkable," Budi said in his visit to Bumirejo shipyard in Juwana, Pati district on Thursday.
According to Budi, small-scale shipyard industry in Juwana has grown while preserving its local wisdom that would need specific skills.
The order to construct transportation vessels for public would encourage further development of local shipyards, the minister remarked.
"Demand in Kalimantan and Sulawesi has declined and it has moved here (to Juwana). Now they already received orders from the public," he said.
The size of the ship would be 35 gross tonnage (GT), with price per unit of some Rp2 billion.
"The size would be some 35 GT, or maybe less. The ships would be used for logistic transportation, not for fishing, to ease inter-island logistic connectivity," Budi said.
The ships order is expected to encourage development of local shipyards in the country amidst the current tight competition in the industry.
"If we dont help them, they could not compete with modern industry that has stronger financial capability. With development of shipyard industry, public shipping will also increase and logistic connectivity will be better," the minister reiterated.
The government would open the bid for the ships construction, involving local shipyards.
"Later, these 100 ships would be transferred to local governments, foundations, and other institutions to support public shipping industry," he said.
Meanwhile, owner of Bumirejo shipyard, Rohmat said, his company on the average has produced three ships in a year.
The ships ordered by the ministry would be cheaper than fishing boats as it would not need specific equipment, Rohmat said.(WDY)
