Jakarta. BP Batam, the city’s development agency, inked a cooperation agreement with Metro Nusantara Bahari as the manager of the Batam Center International Ferry Port for 25 years.

According to a press release, this deal revolves around the infrastructure provision for the Batam Center ferry terminal with an investment worth Rp 3.8 trillion with an area spanning 27 hectares. This partnership is expected to make the port more advanced.

BP Batam’s deputy head Purwiyanto said that the city’s modernization efforts should be accompanied by improvements to the port and its services.

"The port is pivotal for Batam to be able to compete with other competitive countries. We hope that the port will be more Advanced, quality and become a magnet for tourists like Harbourfront,” Purwiyanto said.

Metro Nusantara Bahari’s president director Victor Pujianto said that his company is “determined to improve the port’s quality so it can compete with those in Singapore and Malaysia.”

BP Batam also saw the signing of the port’s assets handover from Synergy Tharada to BP Batam. However, no Synergy Tharada representative was present. This handover came after the agreement between BP Batam and Synergy Tharada ended on August 1, 2024. Despite Synergy Tharada’s absence, BP Batam still signed the minutes.

“It is a shame that our partner was absent,” Purwiyanto said.

“There shall be no disruption to the port’s services,” Purwiyanto said.