Belawan New Container Terminal (BNCT) on Thursday launched Tumbuh Bersama (“Grow Together”), a community resilience programme designed to strengthen local livelihoods, improve access to education and healthcare, and restore mangrove ecosystems in North Sumatra’s Belawan area.
The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Medan City Government, DP World, DP World Foundation and Pelindo, aims to deliver long-term social and environmental benefits to communities surrounding the port.
The launch ceremony at BNCT’s terminal was attended by Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas, alongside senior executives from DP World and Pelindo. The event included the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and the symbolic start of a mangrove restoration project.
“This initiative showcases our joint commitment with our strategic partners to provide socio-economic and community support to the local community where many of our employees are from,” said Suffian Manaf, President Director of BNCT. “The continued success of our business depends on the positive impact we create to build long-term prosperity.”
Two-Phase Development
The programme’s priorities were shaped by a Community Needs Assessment conducted in July 2025 by DP World and local stakeholders. Tumbuh Bersama will be rolled out in two phases covering environmental restoration, education, healthcare, and livelihood support.
Phase One, now underway, includes:
- Mangrove restoration: Rehabilitation of 22 hectares of coastal ecosystems in Hamparan Perak to enhance biodiversity, reduce erosion and flooding, and increase blue carbon storage.
- Education access: Construction of a new junior high school within the Belawan Port area. Pelindo will provide the site for the project.
Phase Two, set for completion by 2027, will focus on:
- Healthcare improvement: Establishing a local health centre and ambulance service to expand access to primary care.
- Fishing community support: Providing small-scale fishermen with equipment, training and infrastructure, including a new jetty and solar-powered cold storage units.
“This initiative was created by the local community for the local community,” said Glen Hilton, CEO & Managing Director for Asia Pacific at DP World. “It reflects our mission to ensure Indonesia grows sustainably and inclusively alongside us.”
Arif Suhartono, President Director of Pelindo, said the education initiative would have lasting benefits.
“We are particularly excited about working with BNCT and the Ministry of Education to build a school that gives students access to quality learning so they can contribute back to the community,” he said.
BNCT and its partners said Tumbuh Bersama represents a holistic approach to sustainable development, aligning environmental restoration with social progress, as Belawan continues to grow as a major port hub in Indonesia.