Silting of Baai Island Port Hampers Bengkulu's Exports, BRIN Pushes for Solutions until 2045

JAKARTA, GARISBUMI.com – The silting of Pulau Baai Harbor limits Bengkulu's economic activity and causes some regional commodities to be exported through neighboring provinces. The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is encouraging the provincial government to prepare a road map for port management with projections until 2045.

This issue was discussed at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Synergy (NKS) between BRIN and the Bengkulu Provincial Government at the B.J. Building. Habibie, Jakarta, Tuesday (29/9/2026).

Head of the Regional Development Planning, Research and Innovation Agency (Bapperida) of Bengkulu Province, Yuliswani, said that decades of silting had hampered the use of Baai Island Harbor as a regional economic driver.

"The port channel is currently at minus eight meters. However, if it is optimized, many economic and export activities can be carried out there," said Yuliswani.

According to him, port limitations mean that Bengkulu has not received optimal benefits from its commodity trade.

"So far, due to limited ports, many of our commodities have been exported through neighboring provinces such as Lampung, so Bengkulu has lost economic benefits and profit sharing," he said.

Port Handling Needs a Road Map

Deputy for Regional Research and Innovation at BRIN, Yopi, said that handling Baai Island Port requires clear planning direction. A roadmap is needed so that solutions involve various sectors and answer regional needs in the long term.

"We are ready to provide research support, but there needs to be a clear direction to get cross-sector solutions that not only answer current problems, but also have long-term projections until 2045," said Yopi.

BRIN stated that it was ready to accompany the Bengkulu Provincial Government to strengthen research-based development planning. This support is part of a collaboration that includes eight priority programs.

A number of areas in this collaboration include water resources management, strengthening a cooperative-based economy, downstreaming innovation, and developing culture and tourism.

BRIN Proposes Evaluation Every Three Months

Yopi also proposed periodic evaluations every three months to identify obstacles in program implementation. Through this evaluation, local governments can convey difficulties and new needs.

"We propose to evaluate once every three months. We just want to hear whether there are any complaints or difficulties in implementing these eight priority programs," he said.

He added that room for adjustments to cooperation remains open if regional governments propose additional programs.

"If there are new proposals, please submit them immediately. Later we will also be ready to add them," said Yopi.