Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), a global leader in port agency and marine services, has announced the opening of two new offices in Indonesia at Merak and Dumai, strengthening its presence in one of Southeast Asia’s most important maritime markets.
The strategic expansion underlines ISS’s commitment to operating close to its customers and supporting vessel operations in high-activity port clusters. The Merak and Dumai port areas each handle around 150 port calls annually and play a critical role in bulk and tanker shipping, serving the energy, industrial and plantation sectors.
The Merak office, led by Haroen Al Rasyid, will cover the ports of Cigading, Ciwandan and Anyer. This established industrial cluster is a key hub for liquid and dry bulk shipping, handling commodities such as chemicals, iron ore, limestone, steelmaking raw materials, refined petroleum products, ethylene and bulk wheat. With dedicated industrial jetties and terminals, the Merak port area supports efficient cargo handling and reliable turnaround for bulk carriers and tankers.
The Dumai office, managed by Ahmad Firdaus, will oversee operations at the ports of Lubuk Gaung and Pelintung, located along the Malacca Strait. This cluster is a major centre for tanker and bulk vessel activity, primarily handling crude palm oil (CPO), palm oil products, fuel oil, petroleum products and chemicals, supporting both export and domestic cargo movements for the energy and plantation industries.
Both offices will offer a full range of ship agency and marine services, including port agency, customs clearance, P&I support, crew logistics, husbandry services, bunkering and fuel operations, and protective agency. By establishing dedicated local branches, ISS aims to enhance operational control, improve responsiveness and ensure stronger compliance across high-volume and repeat vessel calls.
Commenting on the expansion, Galih Wicaksono, General Manager – Indonesia, said, “Our mission is clear: to be close to our customers and present where their operations take place. The opening of these offices in Merak and Dumai strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional service and local expertise in two of Indonesia’s most critical port clusters.”
The move reinforces Inchcape Shipping Services’ long-term commitment to Indonesia’s maritime sector and its role in supporting efficient and reliable shipping operations across strategically important ports.
