28-Aug-2000

[Jakarta, 28th August 2000] The world’s largest shipping line, Maersk Sealand on 14th August inaugurated its new weekly service, the Intra Asia Express Service (IAX) with the arrival of the “Bernhard Schulte” at Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT), Indonesia’s premier container port.

The 1,382 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) “Bernhard Schulte” will be joined by three sister vessels and offer a fixed-day weekly service between JICT, Tanjung Pelapas, Singapore, Hong Kong, Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka, Shanghai and Ningbo before returning to JICT.

Maersk Sealand is the world’s largest provider of containerised transport solutions with a service network spanning six continents.

On board the “Bernhard Schulte” at a ceremony to celebrate the first call together with representatives from JICT and customers of Maersk Sealand was Senior Owners Representative for Maersk Sealand in Indonesia, Mr Anil Wats.

Mr Wats commented on Maersk Sealand’s committment to the trade and confidence in JICT, “Maersk Sealand have been operating in Indonesia for over 40 years, we are committed to the trade and to the development of the trade to and from Indonesia. It gives us great pleasure to introduce this new direct Intra Asia service which once again demonstrates our commitment to the trade and our faith in JICT in providing a world class competent terminal operation which is a critical factor to the success of the service.”

JICT’s success in attracting new services from leading shipping lines, together with strong trade growth, resulted in a new monthly record for container throughput at Tanjung Priok Container Terminals and for Indonesia. JICT handled 143,685 TEUs in July 2000, eclipsing the previous record of 142,389 TEUs which had stood for almost 3 years.