December, Container Handling Charge in TPS Rises

PT Terminal Petikemas Surabaya (Surabaya Container Terminal – TPS) plans to increase the Container Handling Charge (CHC) to 14% per December 1, 2008, after successfully reaching an agreement with several port users’ associations in Tanjung Perak Port. Corporate Public Relation of PT TPS, Wara Djatmika said numbers of associations in Tanjung Perak Port, as port customers, have approved the increase of CHC tariff. In the last meeting on October 17, 2008, there was the agreement between TPS (Surabaya Container Terminal) with port related associations, including INSA (Indonesian National Shipowners’ Association) Surabaya. The agreement was closely related to the amount of CHC tariff hike to 14% and officially applied on December 1, 2008,” he said.

Wara admitted that firstly the effort to implement CHC tariff hike was rejected by the port business community. The rejection was based on the objection that economic condition currently was not so good, and therefore it was assumed to burden the businesspeople.

“Firstly, we expected to apply the new CHC tariff on November 1, 2008. But numbers of associations, especially INSA, wanted that it could be applied in 2009. The new CHC tariff actually had been approved by the Minister of Transportation on September 2, 2008,” he said.

He said, with the new 14% tariff hike, then the CHC for 20-foot container, which previously was US$70, would be US$80 per box. Meanwhile, CGC tariff for 40-foot container was up from previously US$105 to be US$120 per box.

New Officers

Wara disclosed that this subsidiary of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III was just replacing its Managing Director from Adji Pamungkas to the new officer Mohammad Zaini.

“Mr. Zaini previously held the position of Deputy Managing Director of PT Portek (a joint venture firm of PT Pelindo III and Portek System of Singapore), whereas Adji Pamungkas would be posted at other place. The process of inauguration has been held on October 28, 2008,” he said without detailing the new post of Adji. However, according to the source of the Ocean Week, Adji would hold the position as one of commissioner at one of Pelindo III’s subsidiary.