SHIPS LESS THAN FIVE THOUSAND GT CAN NO LONGER SERVE MERAK PORT

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 19 (Antara) - Merak Port in the western tip of Java and Bakauheni harbor in the eastern edge of Sumatra are the busiest ferry harbors that connect the two Indonesian major islands.          Being the busiest sea-crossing lane in the Sunda Strait, the Merak-Bakauheni routes have so far been served by at least 52 ferries of various sizes. However, the government has set a size standard for ships that could be deployed to serve passengers willing to cross the Sunda Strait from Sumatra to Java or the vice versa.         The government, through Transportation Ministerial Decree No. PM 88 of 2014, has stipulated that starting from Dec 24, 2018, each ferry to be operated on the Merak-Bakauheni routes should be less than five thousand gross tonnage (GT) in size.         The Directorate General of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation has pointed out that the authorities will move 9 of the 52 ferries usually serving the Merak-Bakauheni ports to other ferry ports. The nine ferries are less than five thousand GT in size.

GOVT URGED TO PREPARE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRIES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 28 (Antara) - While focussing its development on the maritime sector, the Indonesian government is being urged to prepare the country's shipbuilding industries so that they can meet the need for ships at home.          Shipbuilding industrires are expected to support the government's maritime axis and sea toll programs. The sea toll program can be successful only if the number of ships is adequate to meet the need for transportation.          After all the government is banning local industries from purchasing ships abroad in its attempt to advance local ship manufacturing companies.          Indonesia's share in the global market is still relatively small, which according to the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) is only about 0.3 percent.          This is smaller compared to the 2.6 percent share of the Philippines and 1.1 percent of Vietnam. China is a major ship exporter with a global market share of 41 percent, while South Korea's share is 33 percent, and Japan's is 18 percent.