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Indonesian vessels unaffected by China's South China Sea construction: experts

Xinhua, March 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Indonesian vessels sailing in the South China Sea have not been hampered by China's construction in the South China Sea, said Indonesian shipping industry experts.

Tensions have risen recently after the United States accused China of impeding the freedom of navigation and deployed warships and aircraft to patrol the South China Sea in response to China's infrastructure construction on its islands and reefs.

But Indonesia shipping industry experts denied such accusation in their interviews with Xinhua, saying Indonesian ships were unaffected by China's activities in the South China Sea.

Edo Simanjuntak, owner of Indonesian Sandi Genesis Samuel Co. Ltd, said that his ships sailing across the area "can carry on with their activities without any disruption," and sailors could "navigate and catch fish freely according to the regulations."

Edo added that there was no report of Indonesian vessels being affected by the Chinese navy or China's construction on the islands.

Arham S. Torik, chief director of the state-owned shipping company PT Djakarta Lloyd, said that the ongoing disputes over South China Sea have affected the company's business plans, as policymakers have to be more cautious so as to avoid being involved in conflicts.

"We have taken the current situation and updates into our consideration while blueprinting and implementing our operational strategies especially concerning the sailing routes where conflicts exist," Arham said.

China said its infrastructure construction on the new islands was to help facilitate the navigation of civil planes and ships in the region.

The severe shortage of navigation safety facilities, emergency rescue forces and equipment to deal with oil spills in South China Sea has impeded navigation security and economic and social development in the area, said Pan Wei, chief engineer of China Rescue and Salvage in the Ministry of Transport in January 2016.

Edo echoed the remarks, saying that China's infrastructure construction such as lighthouses would promote navigation safety in the sea where many ships and airplanes operate.

"(The facilities) could help vessels avoid hitting reefs or rocks when they accidentally are too close to the shore because of high waves or bad weather," Edo said. Endi