News Source: Lokusnews.id,Samarinda- Hundreds of residents who are members of the Maritime Port Community Alliance (AMPM) Samarinda held a protest action to reject the planned closure of the shipping line under the Samarinda Twin Bridge. This closing proposal came from the national opposition group of the elaboration of the East Kalimantan Organization (Borneo Kaltim) and reaped rejection from various parties.

The demonstration that was held at the Samarinda Class I Class I Kesyahbandaran and Port Authority Office on (12/03/2025) received responses from various parties, including the Secretary of the East Kalimantan GPEI DPD, Hasrun Jaya. He considered that the closure of the shipping flow in the Mahakam River not only had an impact on the transportation and logistics sector, but also threatened the livelihoods of thousands of workers from upstream to downstream.

According to him, the upstream sector, which includes the plantation, forestry and mining industries, is very dependent on the river path as the main access to the distribution of production results. If the shipping line is closed, the distribution costs will increase dramatically, which in turn can cause a decrease in production and business efficiency.

"Export-import activities in East Kalimantan are very dependent on the smooth shipping lanes in the Mahakam River. If closed, the logistics flow is disrupted, operational costs soared, and our industrial competitiveness will weaken. This can have an impact on massive layoffs because the company must reduce its operations, "Hasrun Jaya said.

While in the downstream sector, the impact will be felt in the processing industry, loading and unloading labor, to small business people who depend on port activities. He asserted that the supply chain of goods, including basic needs, industrial raw materials, to export commodities, would be significantly affected.

"This path is not only for the benefit of large companies, but also supports thousands of workers in the port, transport drivers, small traders, and the surrounding community who depend on their lives from the economic turnover in this region,"He added.

Hasrun Jaya hopes that the government and policy makers can find the best solutions without closing the shipping lane. He proposed an increase in the infrastructure of the Mahakam Bridge, such as raising the bridge or building a new bridge, so that the ship could still cross without disrupting land transportation.

"In the future, a new bridge needs to be built that meets more security and efficiency standards. This is because the existing bridge has a distance between poles that are too close, so that it has the potential to inhibit the smooth running of traffic. In addition, the bridge has had an accident or was hit by approximately 22 times, so there needs to be an evaluation and repair so that similar events do not repeat."he concluded