February 9, 2026 | 11:32 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The President Director of PT Dharma Lautan Utama (DLU), Erwin Poedjono, has complained about the increasing operational costs of sea transportation due to currency fluctuations. Several private shipping companies also hope that the Ministry of Transportation will take appropriate action in the form of incentives.
"We also request that private parties be given the same opportunity to serve inter-island routes (subsidies) which have been dominated by state-owned enterprises (BUMN)," said Erwin in his written statement on Monday, February 9, 2026.
Government assistance is expected to include a reduction in Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP), mooring costs, certification costs, and taxes. Operational costs have ballooned due to the weakening of the rupiah exchange rate, which has reached around Rp16,800 per U.S. dollar, while maintenance costs follow the exchange rate.
Erwin stated that approximately 80 percent of DLU's operational costs, ranging from spare parts, daily maintenance, docking, to safety equipment fulfillment, depend on the rupiah exchange rate against the U.S. dollar. Despite being very burdensome, the company continues to provide the best service without lowering maritime safety standards.
"We are committed to providing excellent services, both in terms of safety and comfort," he said.
Erwin mentioned that as a result of IMO ratification, DLU's services still adhere to the standards of the Shipping Law and international requirements (SOLAS). Therefore, the need for cost components remains unchanged.
Furthermore, according to Erwin, private parties are complaining about unfair competition with state-owned shipping companies. State-owned enterprises receive subsidy facilities in the form of Public Service Obligation (PSO), which can be 2-3 times the ticket price for total passengers.
The figures are adjusted every year to account for increases in cost components. Moreover, state-owned enterprises receive injections of State Capital Participation and working capital assistance in the form of a fleet of ships.
Unlike private parties, which must be self-reliant. "As a result, we struggle to compete with those who can set low ticket prices because of the PSO," said Erwin.
He also requested the government to increase ship mooring facilities to reduce queues. Limited facilities lead to inefficient use of time and increased fuel costs.
Then, according to Erwin, the dredging of harbor entrances and dock areas is hoped to be carried out. This condition endangers maritime safety due to ship grounding or hull friction, which triggers higher expenditure costs due to damage to the ship's cooling system, sucked in by mud.
"If these improvements are not made immediately, this will threaten the continuity of business and services to the public," he said.
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