According to ITTO, for the first time ever a shipment of timber destined for China has been shipped from Jayapura, the capital of Papua. Papua is the largest and easternmost province of Indonesia and has borders with Papua New Guinea to the east and West Papua province to the west. (Papua was formerly called Irian Jaya).
Until now, shipments from Papua had go through Makassar in South Sulawesi, the nearest international port.
The central government has been urging the state-owned port operator to up-grade facilities as vessels at the port must be ‘geared’ as there are limited port cranes.
Papua Governor, Lukas Enembe, said as the port becomes better equipped and better known the Province will be able to attract investors to take advantage of the abundant natural resources in the Province.
