INDUSTRY.co.id - Makasar - PT Pelabuhan Indonesia IV (Persero) plans to issue bonds amounting to Rp 5 trillion to finance the acceleration of Makassar New Port (MNP) project development.

This was conveyed by the President Director of Pelindo 4 Doso Agung, in Makassar, Wednesday (17/1/2018).

The plan issuance of the bonds as a follow-up work visit, Minister of SOEs, Rini Soemarno to MNP location on Monday (January 15, 2018).

During his visit, Minister Rini greatly appreciated the progress of MNP development which has now reached 58%.

On that occasion, the Minister requested that MNP development be accelerated. "MNP is one of the strategic projects of National Jokowi's flagship government in Eastern Indonesia in accordance with the schedule," said Rini.

However, she continued, to see the development of Pelindo 4 performance in the year 2017 which recorded the growth of trading volume through containers reached 1.9 million TEUs or increased 4.2% compared to last year and special Makassar Container Terminal which began to overwhelm handle the volume of containers, Minister SOEs want to accelerate the overall settlement of MNP.

CEO of Pelindo 4, Doso Agung revealed that in 2017 Pelindo 4 has recorded positive performance growth.

"The profit of Pelindo 4 in 2017 is predicted to increase by approximately Rp600 billion or 1.4 times compared to the previous year," Doso Agung said on the sidelines of accompanying Minister of SOEs, Rini Soemarno while reviewing the progress of MNP.

Pelindo 4 has even planned the construction of a 1 kilometer wharf at once, from which it was originally built in stages. "For that, we prepare the Rp 5 trillion fund planned by the issuance of bonds in 2018," Doso continued.

In addition to Makassar New Port, Pelindo 4 is also known to increase the capacity of Bitung Container Terminal prepared into International Hub Port and Kendari New Port.

"The development undertaken by Pelindo 4 also aims to support Direct Call and Direct Export in Eastern Indonesia Region, as well as the acceleration of EBITDA of Rp1 trillion and leverage," he said.

"Makassar New Port is planned to use modern container loading tools that can serve Panama Post-size ships, and in the end Pelindo 4 wants to increase value to service users and lower logistics costs in ports," concluded Doso Agung.