Growth and expansion in Asia

Growth and expansion in Asia

PT Samudra Petrindo Asia

Increasing globalization and a move toward free market systems
has forced businesses to focus on developing human resources to
remain competitive.

PT Samudra Petrindo Asia (SPA) has been a leader in the maritime
industry precisely because it has developed its management
through strategic alliances with international maritime firms.

Long before any talk of globalization, PT Samudra Petrindo
Asia began taking aggressive and proactive steps to increase its
professionalism and services to satisfy its clients.

This means the company has been awarded international
certificates, namely the ISO 9002, ISM and Crew Manning from DNV,
reflecting its commitment to quality management, high service
standards and environmental safety measures.

PT Samudra Petrindo Asia is a private Indonesian maritime
company active in sea transportation services, especially in the
field of energy (crude oil, gas and mining), as well as in ship
chartering, off-shore services, brokering and ship management.

Established in 1982 in Jakarta, PT Samudra Petrindo has
continually stuck to its motto: Our word is our bond: We are
committed to what we say.

PT Samudra Petrindo Asia president director, Capt. Rudy
Tangkawarow, said the company currently owns ships chartered by
Pertamina and acts as a floating storage and offloading vessel
operator.

Since its establishment, PT Samudra Petrindo Asia has set out
to maintain world-class quality service standards.

A highly trained and professional staff is a must in the
maritime transportation industry. Capt. Rudy said PT Samudra
Petrindo has gone to great lengths to develop its staff through
extensive training and education, in Indonesia as well as abroad.
The company's education programs are carried out according to
international standards.

And in order to provide convenient services, it has its own
global computerized network and modern communications technology
in each of its ships.

A basic problem faced by the Indonesian maritime
transportation sector is the fact that government regulations are
changed frequently.

According to Capt. Rudy, the government at one time scrapped
the need for permits to be given before the PPN (sales tax) for
purchasing ships. Less than a year later, however, the regulation
was applied again.

Indonesia's Sea Transportation Law No. 21/1992 has
unfortunately helped to hinder the growth of the country's sea
transportation industry.

According to clause 73, book 1, the government can give
permission to foreign vessels flying foreign flags to carry out
interisland sea transportation activities in certain
circumstances.

Foreign ships are able to ply Indonesia's sea-lanes because
the country's own shipping industry is not developed enough to
cope with demand.

Another problem facing Indonesia's sea transportation industry
is the reluctance of bankers to finance shipping activities. The
economic crisis has significantly stunted growth of the country's
sea transportation due to a lack of financing and capital.

Most importantly, however, is the need for the Sea
Transportation Law to be applied consistently, so that the
industry can plan its course in the world's increasingly
competitive market.