Expensive container shipping costs are a problem for exporters today. Exporters revealed that the cost of container costs increased many times to several destination countries, such as Australia, Europe, the Middle East, as well as the United States. This needs the government's attention.
Chairman of the Indonesian Logistics Association, Mahendra Rianto, said that the exporters most affected were small exporters such as MSMEs, logistics costs could be more expensive than the selling price of their products.
"It's a pity for small exporters, such as furniture, textile and other products, the price of shipping costs can be higher than the selling price of their products," he explained.
He said that there are still a few SMEs who are currently willing to export because of high shipping costs so that their products cannot compete with other products.
Mahendra said that the current export is because there is an annual contract. So like it or not, you have to send the goods, because it might not be affected because there is hedging from the previous contract.
The way that can be done is to maximize the domestic market to replace the export market. However, the domestic market is not easy because the economy is still weak.
"Exporters sell their goods locally if there is a need. How can these SMEs move so that there is an economic movement," he explained.
"It is also assisted by social assistance, not for a month or two, it must be futures. So that the economic movement is under control," he explained.
According to him, local MSMEs must be protected at this time, because the only potential market is in the country.
Currently, the shipping price for sea containers is estimated at US$ 8,500 for a 40 foot container and US$ 6,000 for a 20 foot container. While to America it is worth US$ 14,000 for 40 feet and US$ 9,500 for 20 feet, while to Australia it is US$ 4,200 for less than 40 feet and US$ 2,900 for 20 feet.
Previously, Mahendra confirmed that there was an increase in container shipping rates. He gave an example of sending goods that he wanted to do from his office to Australia from Semarang, the cost had doubled.
"The price per container exceeds Rp 50 million which is usually below Rp 20 million, the increase is insane, making it difficult for us to export," he explained.
Likewise, the general chairman of the Indonesian Forwarder Logistics Association (ALFI), Yukki N. Hanafi, said that the increase in shipping costs for containers is 200%-300%. Especially for 40 feet container, to Australia, Europe, Middle East, also USA.
Rare containers in this case are not physical forms that are difficult to obtain. Instead, the movement of the volume of goods that are not balanced, export and import activities. So that the ship does not want to move due to the lack of goods being sent. Ships will lose money if they carry less volume of goods, the effect on increasing the price of container costs.
