JAKARTA. The logistics entrepreneurs remain sceptical over the plan of Ministry of Transportation that will divert land distribution lines by using the roll on roll off (roro) ships at some points, such as from Jakarta to Surabaya, starting early next year.
Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Trucks Employers (Aptrindo) Gemilang Tarigan suggested the government to reassess the plan, mainly in terms of tariff subsidies, because the government promised would provide incentives for the transport company.
According to Gemilang, the truck employers spend in average of Rp 2 million per truck for one-way trip. Therefore, the government should ensure that the new distribution instrument will not cause the employers to spend higher costs.
He made sure that the members of Aptrindo do not object with the regulation, as long as there is sustainable guarantee on the facilities and ships provisions. This is essential to prevent the delay in transportation.
Therefore, he expects that the roro ships, which will be provided by PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, will standby any time. Gemilang said that the truck entrepreneurs will back to the lnad line if the ships are not sufficient.
Chief Executive Officer of PT Lookman Djaja Kyatmaja Lookman also does not subject to the plan of the transportation lines shifting, as long as the tariffs do not exceed the land lines’ tariffs.
He added, the higher tariffs will lead to price increase. In other words, the higher tariff will become a new instrument of inflation. “We support the sea toll program, as long as it will not increase the transportation costs. The logistic costs consist 25% of nationl gross domestic product,” he added.
Kyatmaja also hopes that the government is serious in supervising the ASDP in terms of service provision to land transportation enterprises. To date, the costs of sea transportation are higher than the costs of land transportation, due to the port fees and brokering practices at the port. Not to mention the safety factor in the ship that is less conducive. In this case, he asks the security guarantee from the government.
Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Samadi hopes that the plan could increase the frequency of land transport, on the grounds that the roro ships can carry more land transport modes such as trucks. "Actually, I wanted that it starts on 20 December,” the Minister said. However, it coincides with the provisions of transportations during Christmas and New Year festivities, he added. (Muhammad Farid/Translator)
