Pulau Baai Port Revitalized: Enggano No Longer Isolated, Investments Begin to Arrive

BERITATOP - One year after President Prabowo Subianto issued Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 12 of 2025 on Accelerating the Development of Enggano Island and Pulau Baai Port, the main port in Bengkulu is gradually recovering and has once again become the economic driver of the region.

The Presidential Instruction, signed on June 24, 2025, provides a solution to various issues that had paralyzed shipping activities and logistics distribution in Bengkulu.

Shallow Port, Enggano Was Isolated

Before the central government's intervention, the shallowness of the Pulau Baai Port channel caused disruptions to sea transportation services to Enggano Island for months.

As a result, thousands of residents on Bengkulu's outermost island experienced isolation. Not only passenger transportation was disrupted, but export-import activities and fuel oil (BBM) distribution were also affected because tankers could not dock at the port.

This situation had raised concerns about a social and economic crisis in Bengkulu.

Port Channel Returns to Normal

Now, the situation has reversed. Pulau Baai Port is operating normally again with a channel depth of minus 6.5 meters and is continuously being improved towards a final target of minus 12 meters.

PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) Regional 2 Bengkulu recorded no further shipping disruptions to Enggano Island since January 2026.

General Manager of Pelindo Regional 2 Bengkulu, Dimas Rizky Kusmayadi, stated that from January to June 2026, there were 206 ship movements serving the Bengkulu-Enggano route and vice versa.

"The 206 ship movements serving the Bengkulu City-Enggano Island route were carried out by the Passenger Motor Ship (KMP) Pulo Tello and the Motor Ship (KM) Mohammad Husni Tamrin," said Dimas.

KMP Pulo Tello made 92 trips, while KM Mohammad Husni Tamrin served 114 trips during that period.

Fuel Distribution Resumes Smoothly

The normalization of the port channel also had a direct impact on the smooth distribution of energy to Bengkulu.

Pelindo recorded that as many as 89 movements of Pertamina's fuel oil transport ships were successfully served from January to June 2026.

"Thank God, so far there have been no ship services that have been hindered or experienced disruptions, especially in terms of channel depth," emphasized Dimas.

According to him, the current shipping channel conditions are monitored in real-time and maintained periodically to prevent disruptions due to sedimentation.

Drop Tank Innovation Cuts Logistics Costs

In addition to improving the shipping channel, Pulau Baai Port has also introduced a new innovation in the form of drop tank services for liquid bulk commodities such as CPO, cooking oil, PFAD, and olein.

This service began operating in May 2026 and allows cargo from trucks to be temporarily stored in transit tanks before being pumped to ships.

Branch Manager of PTP Nonpetikemas Bengkulu Branch, Mochammad Choiron Yusuf, explained that this innovation has increased the efficiency of the loading process.

"The drop tank service can save ship rental costs for liquid bulk business players. The drop tank can load onto ships at a capacity of 180 tons per hour, whereas before the drop tank, it could only load onto ships at 40 tons per hour," he said.

Loading and Unloading Performance Grows Positively

Improvements in port services have also boosted logistics activities in Bengkulu.

As of May 2026, PTP Nonpetikemas Bengkulu Branch recorded a throughput of 1.02 million tons/m3, a growth of 3.88 percent compared to the same period last year.

The most significant increase occurred in the liquid bulk segment, which surged by almost 94 percent to 212.7 thousand tons.

Meanwhile, the bag cargo segment grew by 79 percent to 33.5 thousand tons, while dry bulk remains the largest contributor with a volume of 774.7 thousand tons.

Pelindo Prepares a 215 Hectare Industrial Area

The increasing port activity has also prompted Pelindo to prepare for the development of an integrated industrial area around Pulau Baai Port.

A total of 215 hectares of land has been prepared, with 50 to 75 hectares to be developed in the initial phase.

Dimas revealed that several foreign investors have begun communicating to invest in the area.

"Indeed, there are several foreign investors who have already communicated, expressing interest in entering and opening new industries in the Pulau Baai Port Area," he explained.

The industrial area will later focus on processing plantation products, marine products, mining, and the logistics sector.

RTRW Revision Becomes a Challenge

Despite the promising prospects, the development of the industrial area still faces regulatory challenges.

Currently, the status of Pulau Baai Port in the Regional Spatial Plan (RTRW) Regulation of Bengkulu City is still designated as a transportation area, making full-scale processing industry development not yet possible.

Therefore, Pelindo, along with the local government, is pushing for the acceleration of the RTRW revision so that the industrial area can be realized soon.

Potential to Boost Bengkulu's Regional Revenue

Pelindo believes that the development of the industrial area will have a significant economic impact on Bengkulu.

According to Dimas, approximately one million tons of Bengkulu's liquid bulk commodities are currently still shipped through ports outside the region, such as Teluk Bayur and Panjang.

"If there is an industrial area, that 1 million tons can pass through Pulau Baai Port, which will have a positive impact on the Regional Revenue of Bengkulu Province," he said.

In addition to increasing regional revenue, the industrial area is also projected to create new job opportunities and strengthen investment in Bengkulu.

Pelindo Prepares Long-Term Solution for Sedimentation

Although the port channel conditions have improved, the challenge of sedimentation remains a primary concern.

It is estimated that 2,000 to 5,000 metric tons of sand re-enter the shipping channel every day.

To address this issue, Pelindo is studying the Sand By Passing (SBP) method, which is a continuous dredging system that systematically moves sediment before it obstructs the shipping lanes.

"We are directly tasked with ensuring the channel remains reliable. We are continuously strengthening a number of early detection, risk mitigation, and maintenance steps, including the use of technology, methods, and port maintenance innovations," said Dimas.

A Year of Presidential Instruction, Bengkulu Begins to Rise

One year after the Presidential Instruction from President Prabowo was issued, Pulau Baai Port shows significant changes. The shipping lane to Enggano Island has returned to normal, fuel distribution is smooth, logistics activities have increased, and investment opportunities are beginning to open up.

Despite still facing challenges of sedimentation and regulations, Pulau Baai Port has once again become a new hope for Bengkulu's economic growth and the connectivity of western Indonesia.