Batam businesses seek ISPS compliance for port

The port is currently being expanded to triple capacity to 600,000 teu per year from its current capacity of 200,000 teu.

Acting chairman of the Riau Islands chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Nada Faza Soraya was quoted as saying the government should provide integrated security and port fences as required in the ISPS Code. Without ISPS certification, the cost of doing business in Batam would increase as companies spent more on security, making the port uncompetitive compared to other ports in the region.

The ISPS Code came into force on 1 July 2004, in response the possible terrorist threat against shipping in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the US in 2001.

Currently only Jakarta's main Tanjung Priok Port and Surabaya's Tanjung Perak Port comply with the ISPS Code, and although Batu Ampar Port has a very strategic position facing Singapore Port and Johor's Port of Tanjung Pelepas Port it has not been able to meet its potential, she said, adding that Kadin was however upbeat that Batu Ampar Port could attract many investors.