Unfortunately, problems concerning connectivity still come in the way of achieving equitable development in Indonesia, considering its geographical conditions.
"To exemplify, at the moment, the cost to send goods to Hong Kong is cheaper as compared to sending it to Papua. One of the reasons is the high costs related to container loading and unloading. There are also additional fees for transportation from the seaport to the destination and risks of damaged goods," President Director of PT Semen Indonesia Logistics Arham S. Torik stated at the Indonesian Pavilion in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday.
To this end, PT Semen Indonesia Logistics, or Silog, teamed up with PT Pelindo III, through its subsidiary company, PT Pelindo Marine Service, to produce mini containers, named Minicont.
He explained that Minicont`s specialties are its practicality and compact size.
The container that is one-third the size of a 20-foot container can be folded. It can also be dismantled once it reaches the distribution center, so that it can be transported directly by truck.
"It can cut logistics costs by 30 percent. For instance, if a large container of 20 or 40 feet can only be transported using a large vehicle, it cannot enter the final destination, to the villages. The loading and unloading costs will turn out to be quite high, as they have to use cranes of all types. Hence, this Minicont is a logistics solution that can deliver products from the manufacturer to the end user, and this can also minimize the dwelling time," he explained.
Products similar to the Minicont are indeed in the market, but Arham believes, what makes Minicont unique is the fact that these mini containers are foldable.
"Hence, one of the reasons why the logistical costs are high is since the ships are only loaded one way of the trip, and they return with empty cargo. If you use Minicont, the container can be folded. One 20-foot container can be filled up to nine folded Miniconts," he elaborated.
He revealed that Minicont had recently entered the prototype stage.
"If it is mass produced, we can take aluminum material from Krakatau Steel, which would really help to realize synergy among state-owned enterprises," Torik noted.
The Minicont prototype has two weight types of 650 kilograms and 440 kilograms, Torik remarked, adding that when it goes into mass production, it will be available in one more type weighing 300 kilograms.
"Once it is mass produced, the price can reach up to Rp20 million," he stated.
President Director of PT Pelindo III I Gusti Ngurah Askhara Danadiputra had earlier noted that the company will produce one thousand Minicont containers in the first phase, with an investment of Rp20 billion.
By participating in the exhibition at the Indonesian Pavilion, Torik is optimistic of attracting buyers from abroad.
Reporting by Ida Nurcahyani
Editing by Aria Cindyara
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
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