Jakarta – The governments of Indonesia and Malaysia plan to build a massive infrastructure project. This project is the Dumai–Melaka Bridge. It will cross the Malacca Strait. This bridge has great potential to shift logistics in the region. The Malacca Strait is currently one of the busiest trade routes in the world.
If realized, travel time between the two countries will drop significantly. The cross-border journey is estimated to take only 40 minutes. This is much faster than using traditional sea transport. This time efficiency will benefit both citizens and business owners.
The Longest Cross-Border Bridge in Southeast Asia
This bridge will be among the longest cross-border bridges in Southeast Asia. The investment value for the Dumai-Melaka Bridge is huge. The project is estimated to cost around US$15–20 billion. This budget will be used to build a strong structure in the middle of the sea.
Economic integration between Indonesia and Malaysia will become stronger. Currently, trade between the two nations is worth US$12–15 billion per year. This bridge is predicted to increase that number significantly. Local economic growth in Dumai and Melaka will also be boosted.
Strengthening ASEAN Logistics and Economy
The Dumai-Melaka Bridge will become a new icon of ASEAN infrastructure. This project will smooth the distribution of goods from Sumatra to the Malay Peninsula. Logistics costs are expected to decrease due to the practical land route. It will also create new jobs for people in both regions.
Technical discussions regarding the construction continue between the two countries. Many hope this billion-dollar project moves to the realization phase soon. The bridge will be an important milestone for Indonesia-Malaysia cooperation. All of Southeast Asia will benefit from this closer connectivity.