JICT's productivity grows

JAKARTA (JP): PT Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) said on Monday productivity at the Jakarta container terminal had risen since it took over the terminal's operation in April 1, 1999.

JICT, a joint venture of Hong Kong-based Hutchison Port Holding and state-owned port company PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II, said in a statement the terminal's productivity rose 28.5 percent after five months of operation under the new company.

The company further said ten new service calls -- including Indonesia's first direct service to and from North Europe, Canada, the Middle East and India -- had been added to the terminal since it took over the port's operation.

"Shipping lines are impressed with the improvements at the container terminal in such a short time," the company said.

The company made the remarks following an allegation by the secretary-general of the Indonesian Shipowners Association, Barens Saragih, that services at the port had deteriorated since JICT took over the operation.

Hutchison obtained 51 percent of JICT last year through the government's privatization program. (jsk)