Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - General Chairman of Indonesia National Shipowners' Association (INSA) Carmelita Hartarto said INSA is now struggling to realize the decision on import and export transport to be controlled by national shipping.
According to Carmelita, currently 90 percent of national import export is controlled by foreign flag vessels.
"We are in the process of fighting for the national import-export transport to be done by red-and-white vessel, and the gratitude of the struggle has received support from the Trade Ministry," she said at the inauguration of the DPC board of INSA Banjarmasin here Monday.
Such support is evidenced by the issuance of Decree of the Minister of Trade No. 82/2017, which requires the export transportation, especially CPO and coal, carried out by red-and-white flag vessels.
Hopefully, the provision can be realized in the not-too-distant, so in the future all coal and CPO export transport to be done by red-and-white flag vessels.
Carmelita stated, all national companies must now unite and support each other to improve national shipping capability, so as to encourage the growth of the national economy faster.
Regional shipping companies, especially South Kalimantan, play a major role in encouraging the glory of national shipping, given the export potential also comes from South Kalimantan.
"Without regional support, I think efforts to strengthen the role of national shipping will be difficult to achieve," she said.
South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor said the role of INSA is very large to the rate of development of South Kalimantan, especially for freight transport.
"We will continue to support large and small entrepreneurs, to invest in South Kalimantan, including shipping businessmen," he said.Budi Suyanto.