All ports on Batam Island will soon introduce a new information and technology (IT) system in a bid to curb income leaks, an official says.

Head of Batam Port Office's Commercial Unit Heri Kafianto said the new system, to be implemented by 2009, would integrate the movements and activities of all ships using the island's 111 ports.

"We have been using the new system, the Port Management Portal (Portmap), since August 2008 and there have been clear increases in efficiency," said Heri after attending the launch of Portmap in the West Java capital of Bandung recently.

Heri said the old system could not integrate surveillance activities in all the ports and increased the likelihood of income discrepancies.

The new system is required to provide ports with a more effective and efficient service similar to those operational in the ports of Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Japan.

He said the system would be installed in all ports in Batam, with Batu Ampar Port, the largest on the island, acting as the data center.

Heri said the new system installed in Batu Ampar had increased overall income for the port's by 20 percent over the last three months.

Previously the port only earned around Rp 10 billion per month in revenue, whereas now it can turnover Rp 12 billion.

"It's because all the transactions are recorded and can easily be monitored."

The system has proven efficient for consumers as it allows them to book for loading and delivery services via short messaging services (SMS) or by email to the port's administrator.

"The system is simpler. People do not need to go back and forth carrying documents. They only need to register for the documents once. The rest is done through the IT system," Heri said.

Separately, Andri Yadi, President Director of PT Dycode, producer of Portmap, said efficiency in Batam ports was low compared to neighboring ports such as Singapore.

A port in Singapore, for example, could receive 100 ships per day, while Batu Ampar in Batam only accommodates 20 per day, he said.

Furthermore, Singapore could support 17 millions tons of cargo per day while Batu Ampar could only handle 5 million tons.

Andi said these variances were the result of low pier utility levels in Batam and regular delays.

"The Portmap system integrates all the services into one system. Thanks to this sophisticated computerized system, surveillance is easier to conduct," he said.

Portmap is one of three winners of a software competition funded by the USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) and organized by Microsoft and Senada.

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