Benoa aims to be Indonesia’s prime cruise port

BALI- The most attractive cruise destination in Indonesia is without any surprise the Island of Bali. But like for many infrastructures in Indonesia, both national and local governments neglected for many decades to build up proper facilities to welcome large cruise ships and their passengers.

The need to build proper facilities is becoming urgent as cruise activities surge in the world’s largest archipelago. Last year, Indonesian cruise tourism experienced its highest ever growth with the number of port of calls up by 44 %. According to data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, over 300 ports of calls were made in the country in 2013, bringing some 160,000 international passengers, up by 40.2% over 2012. For 2014, the Ministry predicts that 385 ships would make calls in Indonesia, accommodating an estimated number of 203,000 passengers.

The Indonesian government is now investing some US$ 78 million for dredging work at 19 ports nationwide, including including Benoa in Bali. Benoa Port is due to be turned into a “Hub Port” for cruise ships which means that the facility would be destination and turn-around port for the whole Indonesia. Bali is already one of the largest destinations for cruise tourism in the country. In 2012, 39 ships’ ports of calls brought some 68,000 passengers. Last year, some 41 ships made a call at Benoa with 70,000 passengers. For 2014, the growth will accelerate with 58 ships already announced for the year. According to the port authority, 60% of cruise passengers visiting Benoa are Australians and Americans.

Port Operator PT Pelindo III aims now to turn the facility into the country’s largest port for cruise ships. Expansion work include the increase of the water depth for ships berthing from 10 to 11 meters; mooring dolphins for ships unable to come alongside; and a redevelopment of the current passengers’ pier and passengers terminal to welcome more cruise passengers.

By being a hub port, Benoa hopes to attract cruise operators to establish their home base in Bali. If approved, the masterplan to turn Benoa into a hub port. The Balinese port needs urgently to expand the wharf, port basins and channel. “The wharf must welcome three cruise ships docking at the same time to allow transfers,” indicates PT Pelindo III management.

Once approved regionally and nationally, works will take another 10 months to be completed. PT Pelindo III targets an opening of all expanded facilities by 2017.

Benoa Port is located near to one of the most criticized and fought development project in Bali. At the end of 2012, a permit was issued for a project called “Benoa Bay”, which comprises the reclamation of land to create theme park, apartments, hotels, private villas, an international hospital, gambling facilities as well as the ubiquitous shopping mall.

The project has been heavily criticized by locals, environmentalists and academics who fear that the sea will totally disappear in that area. Today, Benoa is still one district in Bali where traditional fishing methods are still practiced. The construction of islets –looking similar to Dubai Palm Islands real estate development- woud damage Bali’s coastline. Facing massive protests, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika finally cancelled the permit letter to contractor PT Tirta Wahana Bali to reclaim and develop Benoa Bay for a massive tourism project. But it seems that the project has only been delayed and not abandoned. Protests continue unabated with even artists joining the movement. Only Benoa cruise port development seems to have gained for now a large consensus.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews