IO, Surabaya – The method used for loading and unloading cattle in Rakyat Dungkek Port, Sumenep, Madura has become an issue for residents. As a result, a student in the Marine Transportation Engineering Department from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Surabaya decided to tackle the issue by designing a floating dock.
The floating dock, designed by Alwi Sina Khaqiqi for his final project, offers a more humane way to transport cattle. Alwi, who will graduate this upcoming March, offered the design after observing the problems rising from the current method of loading and unloading cattle in the port.
According to Alwi, the loading and unloading cattle during transport from Sapudi Island to Sumenep District involves forcing the cows into the sea as the ships could not moor with the main dock. “This is despite Sapudi Island having the second-highest production of cattle in East Java,” said Alwi.
Alwi stated that the forced dumping of the cattle into the sea caused the animals to lose up to 5 kg of weight. “This method also resulted in the price of the cattle to drop up to 20% after arriving in Sumenep,” he said. Worse still, the cattle forced to swim would often not immediately head towards the shore but rather swim into deeper waters, making trouble for transporters. Cattle would also die as a result.
Observing all this, Alwi designed a floating dock using high density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE was chosen as it is cheaper than docks made from concrete. The material would also allow the dock to be built more quickly and was aesthetically pleasing. “The installation time of a floating dock using HDPE is only around 20 days,” said the Class of 2014 student.
Results from the project revealed that the design eligibility had a value of1.35. “If the eligibility value is above 1, the dock is worthy of being implemented,” he said.
The dock, which would measure 40 meters in length and 1 meter in width, would only need to be aligned with the transporting ship and would be able to hold between 30 to 100 cattle.
“This weight (limit) was adjusted for the usual cattle shipments in Rakyat Dungkek Port, which are carried out twice a week, every Thursday and Saturday.”
Alwi, with the help of his advisors Achmad Mustakim ST., MT., MBA., and Eka Wahyu Ardhi ST., MT., also made preparations for waves hitting the docks. To counter such waves, Alwi added piles or dolphins in various angles around the port. “These dolphins will break the waves, stopping them from striking the docks,” he explained.
The Banyuwangi born student hopes his design can be successfully accomplished in Rakyat Dungkek Port. (ITS Public Relations)