28 June 2006 - Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) is pleased to announce the launch of two new African services, reflecting the growth of international trade between the two regions.
Maersk Line, the largest shipping line in the world has launched a new weekly East African Service (EAFS) from Tanjung Priok (Jakarta) which includes a port rotation of Johor Bahru (Tanjung Pelepas), Seychelles (Victoria), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Mombasa (Kenya). The Line deployed five vessels namely the M.V. Safmarine Cotonou, M.V. Fransisca Schulte, M.V. Lissy Schulte, M.V. Northern Felicity and the M.V. San Lorenzo to the service.
In addition, CMA-CGM has deployed 10 vessels to its Asia-Africa Service (ASAF), which operates on an eight-day port rotation from Tanjung Priok (Jakarta) and includes Shanghai (PRC), Ningbo (PRC), Hong Kong, Singapore, Port Klang (Malaysia), Durban (South Africa), Luanda (Angola), Pointe Noire (Congo), Lome (Togo), Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Tema (Ghana), Tintan (Nigeria), Douala (Cameron), Port Gentil (Gabon), Pointe Noire (Congo) and Plande Grasse (Réunion).
Commenting on the new services Bambang Bhakti, President Director, JICT said, "These new line haul routes clearly reflect JICT's growing capabilities in handling direct cargo vessels, thus reducing the level of transshipment. Since 1999, JICT has conducted a series of terminal improvements, recording significant investments in infrastructure, equipment and latest technology."
Bhakti, further added, "Most recently this has included the completion of a 700 metre deep-water berth with a depth alongside of 14 metres, our quayside has been fitted out with six new Post Panamax Quay Cranes and twenty new Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes, while our terminal management system employs the latest solutions in information technology. The results of which have helped transform JICT into a world-class container handling facility that Indonesia can be proud."
JICT was the first container terminal to launch a direct service to Europe and has sucesssfully attracted direct shipping calls to and from Indonesia. Currently, JICT has 40 vessel calls per week serving the Europe, the Middle East, Africa.