Operator at Ketapang Port Preparing 44 Ferries

Banyuwangi, E Java (Antara) - The Inland Waterway Transportation Service (ASDP) at Ketapang port of Bangyuwangi, East Java, has been preparing 44 ships to serve post-fasting Idul Fitri travelers, according to its manager. PT ASDP Manager for Ketapang port Saharudin Kotto said here on Monday that of the 44 ferries, 21 were passenger ships to be operated through Mobil Bridge Pontoon Pier and 23 were cargo ships to be operated through the Landing Craft Machine Pier. "However, of the 44 ships, possibly only 36 will actively be operated during the homeward flow and return flow of the Idul Fitri holidaymakers, or Lebaran travelers," he said. Saharudin pointed out that his office had also prepared other infrastructures and facilities at Ketapang port, namely the ships and piers, which will be operated during the Lebaran transportation season. "All fleet members have been sent to the dockyard for repairs, so 36 ships are now ready to serve homeward and returning travelers," he noted. The Ketapang port connects the Gimanuk port in the Indonesian tourist resort province of Bali. He said that most workers in Bali were residents of Java, so the Ketapang-Gilimanuk crossing was expected to become one of the busiest straits in the country during the Lebaran holidays. In the meantime, the ASDP for Merak Port in Banten province has deployed 28 roll-on roll-off (roro) ferries to serve the 2014 Lebaran holiday travelers, the company's public relations officer Mario Utomo said. "We have placed 28 ferries on standby to handle the inflow of Lebaran holiday passengers, so that they will not have to stand in long queues before being ferried to Bakauheni port in Lampung, Sumatra island," Mario stated here on Monday. He noted that PT ASDP has stationed its ferries at Merak port and is ready to serve the travelers heading to Bakauheni port and then on to their respective native villages in Sumatra until they return to Merak after the holidays. Mario remarked that the number of homebound travelers is likely to peak next Saturday because civil servants and private employees will commence their holidays on Sunday. "On Monday, the transportation services from Merak to Bakauheni started to witness an increase in passenger volume," he added. He reported that since Sunday night until Monday morning, about 2.5 thousand private cars and 800 buses had been ferried to Bakauheni port in Lampung, whereas on normal days only about 1.5 thousand private cars and 300 buses are ferried. Mario added that the deployment of 28 ferries is expected to deliver the best possible services to the travelers and will help in preventing spiraling queues at the port. (*)