Indonesia has a large number of shipments to Brunei Darussalam. However, according to statistics, the country's share is only three percent, while Malaysia and Singapore could cover at least 12 to 13 percentBandar Seri Begawan (ANTARA) - More of Indonesia's cargo vessels will directly transport goods to Brunei Darussalam by passing through Natuna waters on February 14, 2020, a high ranking official announced here, today. Earlier, there were a few direct shipping lines from Jakarta to Bandar Seri Begawan.
Initially, a cargo vessel with a capacity of 108 containers will be operational in mid-2020.
"Indonesia has a large number of shipments to Brunei Darussalam. However, according to statistics, the country's share is only three percent, while Malaysia and Singapore could cover at least 12 to 13 percent," Indonesia's Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Sujatmiko said at his official residence in Bandar Seri Begawan, Wednesday, January 15.
In the past, 99 percent of Indonesia's shipments were transported from ports in Singapore and Malaysia, the ambassador noted. "Singapore has profited from our shipments, and as a result, the prices of our products had risen (due to the high shipping cost). Therefore to cut the price, we will launch a direct shipping line through the Natuna waters," he added.
With a direct shipping line, the shipment from Jakarta to Bandar Seri Begawan will take nine days, which is shorter than the usual shipping route that takes 23 days.
"If we could cut the shipping duration and our trade volume with Brunei could increase by 220 containers per month," the ambassador remarked.
To put the plan into action, Sujatmiko has contacted the Minister of Transportations Budi Karya Sumadi and officials in state-owned ship operator PT Pelni (Persero). (INE)
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Reporter: Ade Irma J/Genta Tenri Mawangi
Editor: Mulyo Sunyoto
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