Comexindo initiates use of cargo vessel

Comexindo initiates use of cargo vessel

JAKARTA (JP): PT Comexindo Maritim, a subsidiary of PT Prima Comexindo owned by businessman Hashim Djojohadikusumo, yesterday started running a 22,000 dead weight ton (DWT) bulk cargo vessel as a feeder for its fleet anchoring away of ports.

Comexindo Maritime's chief operating officer, M. Kassim, said at the inaugural ceremony for the vessel at Tanjung Priok seaport here yesterday that the company leased the self-loading-and- discharging bulk handler from Intership Ltd. of St. Vincent & Grenadines, a island nation in the Caribbean.

"The vessel will serve Prima Comexindo's fleet of eight bulk carriers, ranging from 35,000 DWT to 65, 000 DWT, which used to operate abroad only," Kassim said.

He said Comexindo Maritim, which commenced large-scale international operations in January 1995, has developed its fleet of long-term chartered bulk carriers with a total capacity exceeding 500,000 DWT, probably the largest dry cargo fleet in Indonesia.

Comexindo specializes in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, such as grain, coal, fertilizer and iron ore on a worldwide basis.

Kassim said his company transported over 1.6 million tons of cargo last year.

He acknowledged that most of Comexindo's vessels do not call at Indonesian ports because most Indonesian importers buy goods on a cost-and-freight (C&F) basis.

He added that the bulk cargo arriving in the country reaches tens of millions of tons per annum. Because they are purchased on a C&F basis, their transportation is arranged by overseas sellers.

He added that Indonesia spends lots of foreign exchange on cargo shipments.

To save foreign exchange, Kassim suggested that importers buy goods on a free on board (FOB) basis, which will allow Indonesian vessels to transport them.(kod)