INSA sees 20% growth in Indonesian shipping industry
The Indonesian National Shipowners Association (INSA) has forecasted around 20% growth in the Indonesian shipping industry in 2013 on the back of the country’s healthy economic performance, Seatrade Asia online reports.
According to INSA chairman Carmelita Hartoto, most local players, especially those involved in coal and offshore oil and gas, will be adding to their fleets next year.
“We will have 560 new ships to support national and international trade next year, especially in the coal and offshore oil industries. Despite the eurozone crisis and decreasing demand from China, we are confident that our shipping business will grow because of strong domestic demand,” she was quoted as saying. The 560 new vessels, including tug boats, bulk carriers, platform service vessels diving service vessels, and tankers, will increase the number of Indonesian flagged ships to 12,600 in 2013. With this capacity, Indonesian shippers are expected to be able to deliver up to 1.2bn tonnes of cargo, for both the domestic and international market, from about 1bn tonnes this year.
Carmelita noted that foreign shipping companies from Korea, Germany and Japan among others, have expressed strong interest in working with Indonesian shipping companies next year, with joint venture shipping companies expected to be set up.