Indonesia releases 4 ships, many others still detained
Indonesia has released four detained Chinese cargo ships after they got relevant permission from local maritime authorities. But many others are still being held.
The Chinese Embassy in Indonesia has said the detainment of over 20 Chinese cargo ships has already caused losses of over 1 million US dollars. The detainments are likely to be related to an imminent ban on mineral exports from the country.
The new rule is set to protect Indonesia’s raw ore processing industry, and will be enforced from January the 12th. Many Chinese companies have thus planned to transport the ore back before the new rule takes effect, and have fully completed all the required customs procedures.
Industry insiders say that Indonesia has failed to provide any convincing reason to detain the Chinese ships.
"once a cargo ship is legally loaded, it means that it has gone through all the procedures. On the other hand, customs should let it go if it has paid its customs duties." Liu yujuan, CEO of Indonesia Qilu Mining Company, said.
