THE GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO DEVELOP NATIONAL SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY

National shipping industry is a strategic sector that plays an important role in supporting the inter-regional connectivity in Indonesia through the optimization of marine transportation. The shipping industry has been able to sustain and support the development of national fleets through the construction of new vessels and repair services. Therefore, the government continuously committed to develop the national shipping industry sectors broadly, through policy support and conducive business climate so that the national shipping industry will have high competitiveness.

Strong commitment and decisiveness of government policy to develop the shipbuilding industry is considered beneficial to players and workers in this industry. especially after targeting Indonesia as the world maritime axis and optimizing sea transportation, President Joko Widodo required state-owned enterprises and institutions to buy ships from domestic shipyards. “It opens our optimism, especially shipyard employers and workers. It also confirmed that now is the best era for the shipping industry. Moreover, the president dared to take concrete steps by requiring the purchase of ships from domestic shipyards, “said Industry Minister Saleh Husin in Makasar, Monday (August 3).

Currently the number of shipyards in Indonesia has reached 250 companies, five of which are state-owned companies. Currently national shipyards have been able to build different types and sizes of vessels of up to 50,000 DWT and repair ships of up to 150,000 DWT capacity. However, of the 250 national shipyards, only about 10 companies that have a production capacity of over 10,000 DWT with the largest graving dock facility, i.e. 300,000 DWT located in Batam and Banten.

“There is a total of 105 shipyards in Batam, and the rest are outside Batam. During this time, the largest part of the shipyards are growing and developing in Batam, because they receive various facilities, such as Import Duties Borne by Government (BMDTP) for import of vessel components of 5-12% and exemption of value added tax (VAT) at 10%. While, outside Batam, shipyards only receive BMDTP so they become less competitive. This is what we are striving at this time to purpose to the Ministry of Finance to change the VAT facility, from exempted to become uncollected, so that the shipbuilding industry outside Batam is expected to grow and flourish, “said the Minister of Industry.

PT Industri Kapal Indonesia (Persero) is one of the companies engaged in the shipping industry sector. The company operates shipbuilding, ship repair, similar floating equipment and other services and products in order to diversify its business, by applying the proper science and technology advancement to support the development of national and international sea transport.

Established since 1977, PT Industri Kapal Indonesia (Persero) has two production units, i.e. shipyard units in Makassar and Bitung, North Sulawesi. Makassar shipyard units is capable of servicing cargo ships with size of up to 6,500 DWT and barges of 100 maters ´ 26 meters. While Bitung shipyard unit with its slipway capacity and production facilities with a capacity of 1,500 DWT.

So far, PT Industri Kapal Indonesia (Persore) has built several large ships, such as Makassar motor vessel, which is a full container ship of 4,180 DWT, Indonesian nacy ship KRI Andai, ro-ro ferry (600GT), pioneer ship which serves the transportation of goods and passengers (750 DWT). “The location of two units of PT Industri Kapal Indonesia shipyards is also strategic. Makassar as a traffic axis of commodities, logistics and passenger from western-eastern Indonesia and Bitung directly facing the Pacific Ocean, “he said while explaining that he encouraged these companies to be more productive.

In Soekarno-Hatta container port, Makassar, Minister of Industry Saleh Husin was also present in the launching of SNI-Certified Export Promotion Movement 3 Times in South Sulawesi. President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, leads the launching of this movement followed by shipment of 27 commodities of South Sulawesi to 24 countries with an export value reching IDR 1.21 trillion. (E)

Business New - August 7, 2015