Subang. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo conveyed hope for the Patimban Port to become the country's largest hub for automotive exports on his visit to the port on Friday.

"The Patimban Port in Subang, West Java, is built to be big upon its completion in 2027. It requires massive works so there are many stages to go through for a long term," the president said.

To open the door for the Indonesia's automotive export, the port comprises a total area of 654 hectares in which 300 hectares will be specialized for intermodal containers and vehicle terminals while the remaining 354 hectares will be used as a back-up area. 

It also holds an annual capacity of 7.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units. 

For the port to be fully operational, a large sum of investments is required. On the first stage which is expected to complete by June 2020, Rp 29 trillion ($2 billion) is required, Jokowi said. However, for it to finish by 2027, the total investment needed can reach Rp 50 trillion.

To assure speed and efficiency, a toll road of approximately 37 kilometers from Cipali Toll Road to the port is also set to complete between April-June next year.

With the Patimban Port as the second largest following the Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, the president hoped that Indonesia can increase its export competitiveness. 

"It is now targeted as a port specialized for cars. Even though we don't have any problems with other goods, a majority that enters this port will be cars for the export markets. This is because we would like to be the largest hub for the automotive industry in our region so exports to Australia, New Zealand and Asean countries can be shipped from Patimban Port," the president said.

During his visit, the president is accompanied by Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Public Works Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Teten Masduki, Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and special aides Putri Tanjung and Andi Taufan.

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