Operations at Bitung and Ternate Container Terminals (TPK) have returned to normal following a temporary suspension after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck North Sulawesi and North Maluku on Thursday morning.
The temporary halt, which lasted around five hours, was implemented to ensure worker safety and allow for inspections of facilities, equipment, and infrastructure. Potential tsunami risks were also taken into account.
Corporate Secretary of PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas, Widyaswendra, said the suspension was a precautionary measure. “After thorough inspections, all aspects were declared safe, and operations at the Bitung and Ternate terminals have resumed under control,” he said.
At Ternate Terminal, inspections confirmed that quay container cranes, pier structures, container yards, gates, and office buildings were intact. Minor damage, including cracks in passenger terminal walls, was reported but did not affect operations.
At Bitung Terminal, facilities were generally safe, though assessments found minor damage such as QCC rail issues at Pier IV, cracks in the trestle structure, and slight shifting of container stacks. No accidents or injuries occurred during the earthquake or recovery process.
Widyaswendra emphasized that both terminals continue to coordinate with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and relevant authorities to ensure ongoing operational safety.