Indonesian Port Operator Optimistic Of Businessmen Utilizing Sea Toll Ship

Timika, Papua (Antara Bali) - State-owned port operator PT Pelni (Persero) of Timika expects that local businessmen and entrepreneurs will utilize the vessel provided as part of the Sea Toll program to supply essential public goods to the region.

Suaidi, head of Persero Timika Branch, stated here on Monday that since last January, Persero had been operating the Caraka Jaya Niaga 32 ship to support the Sea Toll program aimed at reducing the disparity in the prices of items in Java and the outer regions.

The ship, which departed from the Tanjung Perak port, Surabaya, has stopped four times at Paumako port, Timika.

However, Papuan businessmen have not expressed interest in utilizing the service of the Sea Toll vessel, although its freight charges are much cheaper compared to other trade ships as its operation is supported by government subsidies.

"Currently, only seven containers have been carried by the vessel to Timika. In fact, we provide space for as many as 82 containers for Timika only. It could be expanded to 120 containers if the demand increases," he revealed.

Suaidi hoped that increasingly more number of Timika businessmen would become aware to utilize the service of the Sea Toll program initiated by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), thereby reducing the prices of essential public goods in Timika and its surrounding areas, considering the subsidies provided by the government.  

Persero of Timika branch had promoted the Sea Toll program among the local businessmen in Timika at the Office of Industry and Trade (Disperindag) in December 2015.

"Entrepreneurs who want to utilize the Sea Toll vessel must register at the Disperindag on the condition that the transported items are only limited to essential public goods," Suaidi stated. (WDY)