Non-vessel-operating common carrier Vanguard Logistics Services has started new services from Batam, Indonesia to global destinations.
Many Indonesian and multinational manufacturers operate on the small island of Batam, which is located 20 kilometers southeast of Singapore.
All less-than-containerload cargo from Batam is traditionally moved via small barges to Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Breakbulk port. It is then relayed by open truck to Keppel District Park at Tanjong Pagar terminal for consolidation to other worldwide destinations.
“This previous process was disadvantageous for numerous reasons,” said Jeff Lee regional managing director for Southeast Asia, the Middle East and India at Vanguard, in a statement. “It requires filing of bond paperwork on each individual shipment; ocean freight is charged for each distinct leg separately; freight from Batam to Singapore is billed independently of the rates charged from Singapore to the final destination; and a separate schedule is used from Batam to Singapore that is not connected in advance with the subsequent second-leg schedule to the final destination.”
Lee said “a comprehensive sailing schedule is now available from Batam to all worldwide destinations with twice weekly departures. Through LCL rates are provided from Batam to worldwide destinations, and the cargo can be tracked via our Website.”