National shipping agencies are expected to build up their competitiveness thus being able to compete in the global competition. Therefore, internal continuous efforts and support from related stakeholders are needed, the Indonesia Shipping Agencies Association (ISAA) 1st General Meeting (RUA) in 2023 has recalled.
The RUA entitled ‘Strengthening Solidity and Increasing Synergy of Professional Shipping Agencies Businesses in the Digitalization Era’ with 173 participants from 42 DPW/DPC was held in Jakarta on Monday, September 11, 2023.
Some key speakers for the RUA said the current issues relating the business that the shipping agencies should anticipate, including the issues of regulation, best business practice, and the ISAA itself as an organization, in addition to the agenda of the RUA.
Chairman of the RUA Organizing Committee Laurent Situmorang explained the RUA 2023 has three agenda: revision of the its statute (RUA AD/ART), organization programs, and the election of new ISAA Chairman.
“The RUA, apart from being a legal forum for changing or improving AD/ART to suit organizational needs, will also elect the General Chair of ISAA for the 2023-2028 period,” said Laurent.
Laurent named some DPWs and DPCs joining RUA, including North Sumatra, South Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, West Sumatra, Lampung, Banten, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, South Kalimantan, Balikpapan, Samarinda, North Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, West Papua and Southwest Papua.
Laurent also expressed his thanks to all parties who have supported the success of this RUA ISAA event.
In addition, some key guests witnessing the event include Director of Sea Traffic at Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Ministry of Transportation, Capt Hendri Ginting, General Manager of Pelindo Regional 2 Tanjung Priok Adi Sugiri, and ISAA Founder Juswandi Kristanto, Chairman of the Indonesian National Shipowners Association Greater Jakarta (INSA Jaya) Capt Alimudin.
On his remark speech for the opening of the RUA Capt Hendri Ginting hoped that RUA ISAA could make a positive contribution to the continuity of Indonesian sea transportation.
Hendri affirmed that shipping agents have provided a significant contribution to national economy. This RUA, he said, is expected to answer any challenges faced by the shipping agents, and shipping industry in general, in a bid to support the national economy growth and the national logistics efficiency.
“Shipping agents have been a corridor talks among stakeholders. I hope, this RUA will answer all the challenges and opportunities from this industry,” said Hendri said, promising to follow up recommendations from this RUA, if any.
But, Hendri urges all ISAA members to support any programs initiated by the government, including in the improvement of port-related services.
“Now, the government (Directorate General of Sea Transportation) is running the programs in transportation sector to create service standardization, digitalization, institutional improvement, and inter-island trade management, he said.”
Hendri expects shipping agents, member of ISAA, to support these programs. ISAA is expected to provide new energy in participating in improving the governance of sea and port transportation through digitalization as recommended for corrective reform actions by the National Strategy for PK (Prevention of Corruption),” he said.
Juswandi Encourages Agents to Go Global
Meanwhile, Juswandi Kristanto, one of ISAA founders, urge national shipping agents to improve service into international standard, thus they can compete in the global market.
“I hope all national shipping agents to meet international standard, expand networking, and improve human resources, thus they can compete in the global market,” Juswandi said in his remark speech for the RUA.
He also calls all members throughout the country to increase synergy and collaboration, both among the agents and also with the other stakeholders in the industry. “Build an ecosystem in the shipping agents’ business will support efficient cost.”
Juswandi also expects the support from government relating the shipping agent existence. “We appreciate that the existence of shipping agents has been acknowledged by the Shipping Law No 17/2008. However, we call for continuous support from the government as shipping agents activities have significantly provided contribution to the economy growth through job creating to employees.”
