Supporting Labuan Bajo Premium Tourism, Pertamina - Pelindo III Synergize to Build Fuel Infrastructure

Jakarta, March 26, 2021 - Support for the development of premium tourism in Labuan Bajo and the Government's National Strategic Project was realized by PT Pertamina (Persero) in synergy with PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) III through the development of energy infrastructure in Eastern Indonesia. The construction of a Fuel Terminal (TBBM) with a capacity of 1,500 KL will increase the reliability of the supply of fuel and Avtur and meet the energy needs of the people of the West Manggarai Regency and Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.

Pertamina's collaboration with Pelindo III in developing fuel terminal energy infrastructure in Labuan Bajo includes marine infrastructure development, including docks and various supporting facilities. This project will be developed at Pelindo III's Multipurpose Wae Kelambu Terminal, Labuan Bajo.

A groundbreaking marked the construction of the Labuan Bajo Fuel Terminal carried out by the Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) Budi Karya Sumadi and witnessed by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia, Arifin Tasrif, President Director of Pertamina, Nicke Widyawati, President Director of Pelindo III, Boy Robyanto and Deputy Governor of Nusa East Southeast, Josef Nae Soi on Friday, March 26, 2021.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, appreciated Pertamina, even though amid the Covid-19 pandemic, he was still enthusiastic about meeting the needs of fuel for the community.

"Fuel terminal development is one of the efforts to achieve energy security. Pertamina currently has adequate infrastructure and will continue to be equipped," said Arifin.

According to Arifin, the presence of the Labuan Bajo Fuel Terminal is expected to increase the resilience of the fuel stock and at the same time cut the distribution chain of fuel distribution previously supplied from the Fuel Terminal outside the West Manggarai area.

"Labuan Bajo has been determined to be one of the five super-priority tourist destinations. We hope that the implementation of Fuel Terminal development can run smoothly without hindrance and can be completed according to the target and start operating in 2023 so that an increase in the economy of the surrounding community can be realized," added Arifin.

The Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, expressed his appreciation for SOEs' extraordinary collaboration and synergy. Therefore, amidst the pandemic, he was still enthusiastic about building energy infrastructure.

"Labuan Bajo is so beautiful, so we Indonesians should be proud. With this Fuel Terminal, it will provide direct energy support in Labuan Bajo," said Budi.

Budi added that this port would contribute positively. It will become an international terminal so that aviation fuel reliability must be confirmed with a distance of fewer than 10 km.

President Director of Pertamina, Nicke Widyawati, said the Labuan Bajo fuel infrastructure project is an essential milestone for Indonesia, in line with the government's program to make Labuan Bajo a premium tourism area.

"With the presence of this fuel terminal, stock security will increase to around 17 days while increasing the use of high-quality fuel that is environmentally friendly," said Nicke.

Nicke added that the current supply is supplied from 4 fuel terminals, where the nearest is 200 Km. Avtur is supplied from fuel terminals 400 Km away, with a travel time of 10 hours.

"With the construction of the Labuan Bajo fuel terminal, it will increase the quality of Pertamina's services, especially to support consumer switching to quality fuel products, so that it is in line with the NTT government program in initiating clean energy," added Nicke.

According to Nicke, Pertamina's commitment will continue to support tourist destinations and the development of other areas such as industrial estates, special economic zones and others.

President Director of Pelindo III, Boy Robyanto, said that a fuel terminal at the Multipurpose Terminal of Labuan Bajo Port is part of the port concept as a support for energy security. According to him, adequate port facilities for the traffic of goods and energy are needed to support economic progress. The existence of the Labuan Bajo Port Multipurpose Terminal is simultaneously to anticipate an increase in the flow of logistics after Labuan Bajo is designated as a super-premium tourist destination.

"Overall, this port has an area of 6 hectares and is used for container, general cargo, and liquid bulk (fuel) activities," he said.

The Labuan Bajo Port Multipurpose Terminal will be supported by a 120-meter-long pier, a 3 Ha sea side stacking field with a container capacity of 75,000 TEUs per year. A land area of 3 hectares is designated for office areas and supporting facilities for operational activities and the BBM Terminal.

"Physical development has now reached 97 per cent with a target of completion by the end of April 2021," he concluded.**