Traders favor T. Perak port

JAKARTA (JP): Many Central Java exporters have switched to the Tanjung Perak port in Surabaya from the nearby Semarang port of Tanjung Emas because the latter's operation was frequently disrupted by high tides, Antara reported on Wednesday.

The high tides often caused damage to goods, the exporters told the news agency.

"Foreign customers have complained about goods soaked on delivery, which could result in contract cancellations," Handoko, an exporter in Semarang, was quoted as saying.

Sulistio, an exporter from Salatiga, complained about difficulties in moving goods because there were few trailer companies operating in Tanjung Emas port.

Santoso, an owner of a trailer company in Semarang, said the operation in Tanjung Emas port cost him a lot of money replacing broken parts caused by the high tides.

Soendoro, the chairman of the Central Java chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the administration should attend to the problem to prevent more exporters from moving to Surabaya. (02)