JICT gets new direct call

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) announced on Wednesday it had received its first direct call service of the year from the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).

JICT president Simon Moore said the direct container shipping provided by IRISL was the only service linking Indonesia with Middle Eastern countries.

"The new IRISL service will allow Indonesian exporters to enhance their businesses because now they can ship their cargo directly to Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran," he said.

He said JICT was optimistic about business prospects in 2000 after recording nine new direct call services in its first nine months of operation last year.

JICT is jointly owned by state-owned PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II and Hutchinson Port Holdings. (cst)