Minister: RoRo Ship Logistics to Ease Road Burden

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has affirmed that shifting logistics transport to roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ships aims to reduce the load on roads whilst improving the efficiency of goods distribution through various transport modes. Dudy stated that the government continues to encourage the use of RoRo ferries as an alternative for logistics distribution on short sea routes, so that freight transport does not rely entirely on the national road network. “If we push for logistics transport to use RoRo ships, it is so that the burden does not all pile up on the roads,” the Minister said during a discussion with journalists in Jakarta on Friday evening. He was responding to questions regarding the government’s steps to promote RoRo ships as a logistics transport mode, including on the route from Semarang, Central Java, to Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta. “If there are business operators who say that RoRo can be profitable, then by all means, go ahead,” he remarked. A RoRo ship is a type of vessel specifically designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, and heavy equipment, which can drive on and off the ship via a ramp door. Dudy stressed that the government is open to all business players who see business prospects in operating RoRo ships or other logistics modes based on their own commercial calculations. He further stated that the government will not provide subsidies for private logistics transport, as this is a business activity that must be run based on commercial considerations. Instead, the government is working to remove various obstacles, including additional costs and licensing processes, so that operators only bear the necessary operational expenses in distribution. Dudy said that if all barriers can be eliminated, business players will have greater room to improve efficiency, making RoRo logistics services more competitive in the market. He added that demand growth is a key factor in the success of RoRo services, so the government is opening up various incentive opportunities to boost logistics demand. Currently, state-owned PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry is beginning to plan the development of RoRo services for container transport, whilst private operators are still assessing investment feasibility according to their respective capacities. Dudy noted that investment decisions are entirely the authority of the companies, as each operator has different funding capabilities, business strategies, and profit levels according to their business conditions. The government is also encouraging the use of trains as a logistics mode, so that goods distribution can operate through a more integrated and efficient transport system. According to Dudy, the more logistics that shift to RoRo ships and trains, the fewer trucks will operate on the roads, thereby reducing congestion and increasing the efficiency of the national logistics system.