North Sulawesi SMEs Utilise Direct Call Scheme to Export Coconut Shell Charcoal to China

For the first time, coconut shell charcoal produced by SMEs in North Sulawesi has been shipped directly to China using international containers and vessels operated by SITC Lines under the direct call scheme from Bitung Port. The inaugural shipment consisted of 25 tonnes of the product, transported in a 40-foot container. The charcoal was packaged in sacks meeting Dangerous Goods (DG) standards to comply with international shipping requirements set by the destination country. This export was part of the fourth SITC Lines direct call voyage departing from Bitung Port to China. The shipment carried a total of 114 export containers from 16 exporting companies in North Sulawesi, with commodities including coconut derivatives, coconut shell charcoal, coffee, fishery products, spices, and other regional specialities. This achievement highlights the growing utilisation of the direct call service by businesses to expand international market access and reinforces Bitung’s position as a key export gateway for eastern Indonesia. Alan Harvey Palar, Chairman of Sulawesi Utara Go Ekspor, stated that the direct call service simplifies the process for exporters by cutting distribution chains and accelerating delivery times. ‘The existence of a direct shipping route from Bitung opens greater opportunities for North Sulawesi products to compete in the global market while encouraging the emergence of new exporters from the region,’ he said. Adeltus Lolok, Head of Customs and Excise Facilitation at the North Sulawesi Regional Office, noted that the successful direct export demonstrates that businesses, including SMEs, are beginning to reap the benefits of the service. ‘All stakeholders continue to work to ensure this service not only supports established exporters but also paves the way for SMEs to access international markets with more efficient logistics costs, shorter delivery times, and stronger competitiveness,’ he said.