Jakarta – The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the implementation of Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer activities in Indonesian port areas. The event took place at Menara Kadin Indonesia in South Jakarta on Thursday (March 12, 2026).

The FGD was organized in response to emerging dynamics surrounding cargo handling operations, particularly at STS transfer locations in Indonesia’s seaports. These developments are considered to have implications for port operations, shipping activities, stakeholders, labor, and competition in the logistics sector.

Through the forum, Kadin Indonesia brought together relevant ministries and government institutions along with business players to discuss various issues encountered in the field. The discussion is expected to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges while formulating constructive policy recommendations.

Vice Chairman for the Kalimantan Region at Kadin Indonesia, Andi Yuslim Patawari, said Kadin invited various parties involved in the regulation of ship cargo handling activities related to STS transfers.

According to Andi, Kadin seeks to maintain constructive engagement with all stakeholders in order to create a conducive investment climate for businesses.

“With clear regulations and rules, we want business actors to feel confident and comfortable in carrying out their operations,” Andi said.

He added that many of the issues arising in the field can be addressed through dialogue and joint discussions among stakeholders. Kadin also emphasized the importance of reducing logistics costs so that Indonesia can remain competitive in supply chain services, particularly in the energy sector such as the coal industry in the Kalimantan region.

Meanwhile, Assistant Deputy for Organization and Legal Entities at the Ministry of Cooperatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Tri Aditya Putra, said the ministry continues to encourage improvements in the governance of cooperatives that organize dock labor activities at ports.

He emphasized that discussions involving multiple stakeholders are essential for the government to obtain comprehensive input from all parties.

“Going forward, discussions like this should involve all parties, including stakeholders, field operators, and other related institutions, so that we can obtain comprehensive input and provide the best solutions for everyone,” he said.

A member of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), Gopprera Panggabean, stated that KPPU has the authority to provide recommendations and considerations to the government if a policy is deemed inconsistent with prevailing laws and regulations.

He added that one measure worth considering is encouraging synergy between cargo handling companies and dock workers to prevent monopolistic practices in the implementation of such activities.

“However, KPPU essentially provides recommendations to the government based on analysis of the existing competition mechanisms. We hope these recommendations can be implemented,” Gopprera said.

From the labor perspective, Director of the Labor Inspection System Development at the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, Yuli Adiratna, stressed the importance of ensuring protection for dock workers involved in cargo handling at ports.

According to her, such protection can be achieved through improved workforce competency, occupational safety guarantees, as well as certainty regarding wages and working hours.

“We must ensure that every worker involved in cargo handling activities has adequate competence and receives sufficient protection, whether in terms of occupational safety, wages, or the regulation of working hours and rest periods,” she said.

She added that labor protection is not only crucial for workers but also for the sustainability of businesses in the port sector, which creates significant employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Stevedoring Companies Association (APBMI), Juswandi Kristanto, said cargo handling operations must be conducted efficiently in order to reduce vessel berthing time at ports.

“Cargo handling must be carried out as efficiently as possible and at the right time so that ships do not stay too long at the port. The longer a vessel remains in port, the higher the costs incurred, which will ultimately increase our logistics costs,” he said.

He added that stevedoring companies and dock workers serve as the front line in these activities. Therefore, APBMI hopes to see improvements in work quality as well as the creation of fair competition without monopolistic practices.

“We hope there will be improvements in work quality and that no monopolies will occur in these activities,” he concluded.

Also present at the event were Kadin Indonesia Vice Chair for the Development of Associations and Extraordinary Members Benny Soetrisno and Vice Chair for Membership Widiyanto Saputro.