The Indonesian Minister for State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Erick Thohir, says plans for developing the Port of Benoa in South Bali will eventually accommodate 400 yachts and 4 to 5 cruise ships simultaneously.
During his visit to the Port of Benoa, Thohir underscored the port’s unique selling points. He emphasized its potential to diversify Bali’s tourism sector, traditionally dominated by aviation, by attracting private luxury vessels from Australia and Europe. The port’s current capacity to accommodate 30 yachts and two cruise ships is just the beginning. Once the port development plans are completed, Thohir envisions Bali becoming a yachting base for further exploration of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Raja Ampat, opening up new avenues for international tourism.
The Port of Benoa is in the process of assuming the role of becoming the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub (BMTH).
The BUMN Minister believes that the development of world-class port facilities will not only enhance Bali’s tourism sector but also bring significant economic benefits. He anticipates that the port will attract cruise ship visits from operators that have sailed past Indonesia while traveling between Singapore and Australia, thereby boosting the local economy.
Thohir has set a clear timeline for developing the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub (BMTH). All construction, including access roads, is slated for completion by September 2024, with the formal port inauguration scheduled for October 2024. The long-term port development plans for BMTH will continue through 2027. The total cost of the Benoa Port Development is estimated at Rp. 3 trillion, underlining the significant investment to enhance Bali’s tourism infrastructure.
In connection with the port development plan, gardens are being installed, docking space is being enlarged to permit docking by cruise ships of up to 160 meters, and a retaining wall is being constructed.
In 2023, 48 cruise ships visited the Port of Benpa carrying 77,864 passengers.
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