Palm kernel shell exports in Bengkulu recorded a drastic decline throughout 2024. Data from the Bengkulu Customs Office shows that there was only one shipment for the international market this year, with two export documents.
“Palm kernel shell exports in Bengkulu this year were only carried out once. This figure is much lower compared to 2023, which reached almost five times,” said the Head of the Bengkulu Customs Office, Koen Rachmanto, yesterday.
According to Koen, one of the main causes of this decline was the shallowing of the Pulau Baai Port, Bengkulu City. This condition makes direct transportation from the port to the transport ship difficult.
Plantation companies in the area are estimated to export or load shells from CPO factory processing to the nearest province so that they are not recorded through Bengkulu.
“The shallow port forces the use of barges to transport cargo to the main ship. This process is more time consuming and costly,” he explained.
This shallowing is a serious obstacle to export activities, especially for heavy commodities such as palm kernel shells. Exporters complain about the high logistics costs due to having to rent additional barges, which reduces competitiveness in the international market.
“We are having difficulty reducing shipping costs. This condition has a negative impact on our efficiency,” said one exporter.
Koen emphasized that support is needed from the central and regional governments to carry out periodic port dredging. This step is considered crucial to improve the smoothness of exports and the competitiveness of Bengkulu commodities.
“If the port is managed well, export activities in Bengkulu will definitely increase,” he concluded.
source: https://rri.co.id/bengkulu/bisnis/1257370/ekspor-cangkang-sawit-bengkulu-anjlok