Container terminal simplifies procedures
JAKARTA (JP): The container terminal at Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta yesterday introduced a model of integrated service which will simplify procedures for customers.
The chief of the container terminal, Abdullah Syaifuddin, told reporters after the official introduction of the facility that the terminal has improved its service to both exporters and importers by installing a computerized system. "Our administrative procedures are now 75 percent computerized," he boasted.
According to Abdullah, by operating the new system, customers should go to only one window, giving the documents of delivery orders and export commodity certificates (PEB), which will be completed within five to 10 minutes.
"We guarantee that one document for one to five containers will be processed within five minutes, while documents for more than five containers will be processed within 10 minutes," he said, adding that previously it took customers about 40 minutes to have their documents completed.
He said customers are no longer required to enclose other documents which used to be submitted as well.
Document processing at the container terminal was formerly so time consuming that container owners attempted to bribe for faster services. "We have now installed several cameras to monitor possible irregularities, especially illegal levies."
Pilot project
Abdullah said that the improved system, prepared within two months with additional investment of Rp 200 million (US$91,659), is aimed to accomplish the government's program of using the Tanjung Priok terminal as a pilot project for fighting against irregularities and corruption at Indonesian sea ports.
Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said recently that illegal levies at ports might reach Rp 260 million (US$119,156) per day. Computerized document processing, which would minimize personal contacts between officials and port service users, are expected to reduce such levies.
Investigators of the Ministry of Transportation have discovered seven areas where officials and company employees had made personal contacts in the processing of container freight documents at Tanjung Priok.
The government will also introduce computer processing systems at other major sea ports to expedite document processing.
Data at Tanjung Priok show that the port last year handled the loading of 477,263 20-feet equivalent units (TEUs), 364,843 boxes and 4,799,399 tons of goods and the unloading of 501,042 TEUs, 360,958 boxes and 4,160,925 tons of goods.
In the first nine months of this year, the port handled the loading and unloading of 606,891 boxes, 852,238 TEUs and 7,580,564 tons of goods. (icn)