The 200 ships included patrol boats, pioneer ships and other vessels that are required in the development of the maritime axis.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Minister of Transport Ignatius Jonan has said the country has built 200 ships within one year as part of the governments program to make Indonesia the worlds maritime axis.

"In one year, we have built 200 ships," Jonan said here on Tuesday.

The 200 ships included patrol boats, pioneer ships and other vessels that are required in the development of the maritime axis.

He said that the maritime axis program has been running since the beginning of the administration of President Joko Widodo, but it cannot be assessed in the near future as a lot of works are still to be completed.

"We are developing 1,241 ports. There are ports to be rebuilt and repaired, and some of the small ports are being built," he said.

Of the 1,241 ports, 112 are commercial ports managed by Pelindo (the Indonesian Port Corporations), while 1,100 ports are being managed by the Ministry of Transportation.

"I have not had time to visit all the ports. It takes at least two years time to examine them one by one. But the most important part is the construction and development of the ports which is under supervision and control," Jonan said.

For the development of the airport, the government focuses on the improvement and extension of runways, he added.

"All the runways at all airports in Indonesia will be extended, at least by 2,000 meters, in order to accommodate jet engine aircrafts," he said.

Meanwhile, the bus terminals will be built in the same mould as the stations. "If the bus terminals have the same design as the stations, the passengers will be able to comfortably travel by public transportation," the minister said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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