Britannia Club’s local local office in Singapore informed that a number of foreign flagged ships have been arrested after Indonesia imposed a ban on some forms of palm oil.
To remind, the Southeast Asian archipelago has been running low on palm-based cooking oil since November as producers turn to exports to cash in on an increase in prices around the world. Authorities now fear the scarcity and soaring prices could provoke social tensions and have moved to secure supplies.
The government will prohibit the export of raw materials for cooking oil and cooking oil itself… until a deadline to be determined later
…President Joko Widodo had said last month in a statement.
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Officials introduced limited curbs on palm oil exports in January, capped prices, and announced cash subsidies for some Indonesians to compensate for rising food prices. But the commodity continued to become harder to find at markets and grocery stores, with long queues appearing at many locations.
Currently, local authorities confirmed that, with effect from 28 April and in order to ensure that palm oil is available for the domestic Indonesian market, there is a temporary ban on exports of crude palm oil, refined, bleached and deodorised palm oil, refined, bleached and deodorised palm olein and used cooking oils.
Members affected should contact their local agents or our correspondents for further details and guidance as to how delays and detentions can be avoided
…Britannia Club says on its website.