Indonesian Authorities Forbid Sailing to the Philippines – Clarification
North’s P&I correspondent in Indonesia (Spica Services) have advised that a circular has been issued by the Harbour Masters of Indonesian ports on Borneo forbidding direct sailing between Indonesian and Philippine ports.
The circular advises vessels owners that port clearance will not be granted if the declared voyage is as per the above. Clarification has been provided:-
• The circular only applies to Indonesian flagged vessels.
• The circular does not apply to foreign flagged vessels.
The circular was intended to discourage Indonesian flagged vessels from transiting west of Tawi Tawi and the Sulu Sea in light of the recent hijacks of small vessels.