JAKARTA: Indonesia’s shipping company, Meratus Lines, has launched a new route connecting Port of Tanjung Priok in Jakarta and Port Klang, Malaysia amidst the increasing demand.

       The new route began operating on March 7 with the departure of the Meratus Project 3 ship, which has a capacity of 8,400 tonnes.

       It ships directly from Jakarta to Port Klang without stopping at other terminals.

       In a statement Wednesday (March 16), the company said the latest route is expected to meet trade demands between Indonesia and Malaysia in line with the uptrend in the global economy.

       "This is our fourth international route in the last six months, complementing our 30 existing domestic routes to support the national logistics chain,” said chief executive officer Farid Belbouab.

       Meratus also plans to launch additional routes, such as to China and other South-East Asia countries, in order to keep expanding its network, he said.

       Established in 1957, the company has over 35 routes, 35 agency networks, two container terminals, 15 container logistic centres, and over 65 vessels. - Bernama