Minister of Environment and Forestry Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has called on all subsidiaries of state-owned port operator Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) to establish air quality monitoring systems at their operational sites in a bid to curb rising air pollution levels in port areas.

The implementation of such systems will play a crucial role in PROPER, the government’s environmental performance rating program, which assesses companies not just through documents but through tangible, on-the-ground efforts.

“If we stay consistent, Pelindo zones can achieve clean air quality and safeguard our living environment,” Hanif said while witnessing an emissions test at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

The ministry's data shows that transportation is the leading contributor to urban air pollution, responsible for 61 percent of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter); 96 percent of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs); and 90 percent of carbon monoxide emissions.

These figures are particularly alarming in major urban centers like Jakarta. Given the high volume of heavy-duty vehicles and road dust in port zones, Hanif emphasized the need for strict and consistent emissions monitoring.

The emissions test at Tanjung Priok, conducted under Regulation No. 8/2023 on vehicle emission standards, targeted 200 vehicles. The initiative aims not only to reduce air pollution but also to tackle urban heat effects caused by dense vehicle activity in port areas.

“Emissions testing is not just a technical formality. It’s an expression of our commitment to clean air. We cannot speak of development without ensuring decent air quality for our citizens,” Hanif said.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry asks Pelindo to carry out routine emissions testing, ensuring that only vehicles passing the test can operate within port premises. Vehicles that fail the test must be reported to their respective operators for corrective action.

In addition, the ministry is encouraging wider public participation. Drivers and businesses alike are advised to conduct regular emissions testing; use eco-friendly fuels; and avoid operating over-dimension, over-loading (ODOL) vehicles.

The initiative reinforces Indonesia’s environmental strategy by integrating healthier air standards into key industrial and logistical hubs like ports − crucial for supporting both sustainable development and public well-being.