DHL maintains Ambon service

JAKARTA (JP): The DHL branch office in Ambon, capital of the Maluku province, has continued its operations despite the civil strife in the riot-torn city, a senior technical advisor from PT Birotika Semesta/DHL Worldwide Express announced on Friday in a statement.

The Maluku province has been rocked by bloody clashes between Muslims and Christians since the beginning of the year.

"Ambon is an important gateway to the international market place for resource-rich East Indonesia, and it is important to keep the channel between exporters and buyers open," Mike Fitzpatrick said in the statement.

DHL has been operating in Indonesia since 1974 and expanded its business to Ambon in 1992. Its operation primarily supports the local export of natural produce such as plywood and marine products.

DHL also announced Friday the acquisition of up to 44 Boeing 757s for its Europe and Africa network at a potential cost in excess of US$1 billion.

The new fleet would allow DHL to meet a predicted 12-14 percent increase per annum in air freight volumes throughout the region (06)