Pelindo ‘Carry’ Huge Historic Petekan Bridge at Surabaya Vaganza Parade 2024
Surabaya (May 26) – The Indonesian SOE, PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) or Pelindo 'carry' the historic Petekan Bridge at the annual national event, the Surabaya Vaganza Flower and Cultural Parade 2024, on Sunday (May 26). Pelindo’s delegation stood out by showcasing a miniature of the ancient Petekan Bridge made from a blend of fresh imported and local flowers, standing at 4.4 meters high. The Petekan Bridge (originally named Ferwerda Brug) is a cultural heritage site in Surabaya, which operated around 1939 as a gateway for waterway transport between the Kalimas River and the Port of Tanjung Perak area.
SVP of Legal & Public Relations Pelindo Regional 3, Karlinda Sari, mentioned that the concept of ‘carrying’ the miniature Petekan Bridge was inspired by the spirit of Surabaya’s Mayor, Eri Cahyadi, and the Surabaya City Government in revitalizing the Old City area of Surabaya, located not far from the Pelindo-operated Port of Tanjung Perak. The port currently serves for the most domestic shipping routes in Indonesia. “The Old City of Surabaya, including the Petekan Bridge, along with The Port of Tanjung Perak, is a unified historical heritage that deserves immediate revitalization. This will revive the collective memory of Surabaya's glory and symbolize the cooperation between the government, the local community, and businesses, collectively bringing historical significance to life for building a modern, humane city in the future,” she said.
This vision is well-founded, as according to Pelindo’s records, post-Covid-19 pandemic, international cruise ship visits to the Port of Tanjung Perak have been on the rise. From October 2022 to November 2023, there have been 10 cruise visits, and for 2024, there are already 14 scheduled cruises bringing thousands of international tourists. “Many of these cruise tourists take the time to stroll and enjoy the architectural sights of the old city of Surabaya. Pelindo believes that the revitalization of the Old City of Surabaya holds great potential to become a catalyst for a comprehensive tourist route or package in Surabaya. From the north at Surabaya North Quay, Port of Tanjung Perak, then exploring the Old City area to shopping streets and malls in the Tunjungan area. Its economic potential for the city and its residents is immense,” said Karlinda Sari.
Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi appreciated Pelindo’s support for the Surabaya City Government's efforts in revitalizing the Old City of Surabaya. “The spirit of revitalizing the Old City of Surabaya aligns closely with this year’s Surabaya Vaganza theme, ‘The Chronicle of Surabaya’. The Old City of Surabaya can anchor the memory of Surabaya’s past glory. Like the Petekan Bridge on Pelindo's float, it was once a symbol of technological advancement. In the early 20th century, Surabaya already had a bridge that could open and close for water canal transportation,” he said.
Eri Cahyadi continued, stating that various initiatives for the development of Surabaya are always driven by a spirit of cooperation and community harmony. This includes not only the residents of Surabaya, who are the primary stakeholders of the city, but also the economic actors, from MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) to large national and even international corporations. “When cruise calls to the Port of Tanjung Perak and brings international tourists, the Surabaya City Government and Pelindo strive to connect them with Surabaya’s MSMEs. This ensures not only business transactions but also cultural interactions. Everyone's articipation is expected to contribute to the future of this city,” he explained.
Separately, Professor Purnawan Basundoro, an Urban History Professor from Airlangga University, Surabaya, expressed a similar sentiment. He emphasized that the development of an old city area requires support and attention from its stakeholders, not just the city government. “In the context of the Old City of Surabaya, the attention and cooperation with Pelindo, as the gateway manager for international tourists (from the seaport), is highly appropriate. This is particularly crucial in promoting the Old City of Surabaya as a broader destination for historical attractions,” he explained.
The professor, who is also serves as secretary of the Surabaya Cultural Heritage Expert Board, asserted that with strong promotional strategies, the potential aspects can be further highlighted. “For instance, the cultural aspect through tourist interactions with the local community and MSMEs can be packaged as promotional content for mass media and social media. The hope is to extend the tourists’ stay in Surabaya, thereby providing a higher economic impact to MSME players and city revenue,” he state.
