Indonesian national fleet surges

Singapore: The Indonesian national fleet has nearly doubled over the last five years as the country started the gradual implementation of a cabotage law.
Johnson Sutjipto, chairman, Indonesian National Shipowners Association said the Indonesian-flagged fleet had grown by 51.8% to 9,170 vessels at the end of last year, compared to 6,041 vessels in March 2005.
The cabotage law is being implemented on a gradual basis with it applying to the shipment of coal, oil and petroleum from the beginning of this year, and offshore vessels from the beginning of 2011.
Last year saw $2.7bn invested in imported vessels with some 880 new vessels joining the Indonesian fleet. According to Sutjipto this was due to the extension of the law this year to cover coal and oil shipments. Many international shipowners have formed joint ventures in Indonesia to enable their companies to operate Indonesian-flagged ships.  [25/03/10]