KM Sinabung Ship Becomes Floating Accommodation At The ASEAN Summit, This Is What Is Prepared

The Directorate General of Sea Transportation has assigned PT Pelni (Persero) an assignment to operate the KM ship. Sinabung as Floating Accommodation in support of the implementation of the 42nd ASEAN Summit.

As is known, the 42nd ASEAN Summit will be held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara in May 2023.

Director General of Sea Transportation, Arif Toha, said that the KM Sinabung ship is planned to dock at the Waterfront Pier in Labuan Bajo on May 12, 2023.

This ship, continued Arif, will be prioritized to accommodate foreign guests consisting of journalists or foreign media who do not receive accommodation in Labuan Bajo.

The Sinabung ship has a length of 150 m and the capacity to accommodate approximately 2,000 pax. This ship will be docked next to the KRI ship which functions as a Floating Hospital or Emergency at the Labuan Bajo Waterfront Pier," said Arif, in Jakarta, Tuesday, May 2.

To ensure services, continued Arif, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation continues to make preparations, both in terms of safety, shipping security, comfort and availability of port facilities.

Arif admitted that he had also instructed the Head of the Labuan Bajo Class III KSOP Office to prepare port facilities and infrastructure, including port facilities, dock dock, and the Passenger Terminal Building to be used as the Command Center.

"In addition, we also provide a special area at Waterfront Terminal to be used as a place for MSME exhibitions that can accommodate a total of 45 booths both indoors and outdoors," explained Arif.

As for the smoothness and security of shipping, Arif added that his party had arranged a mechanism for the flow in and out of the Port of Labuan Bajo.

"In the rotating pool area and the dealer's pool, we will control the anchored ships and mooring in the area around Labuan Bajo Port," he said.

To ensure the smooth entry and exit of ships at Labuan Bajo Port during the 42nd ASEAN Summit, Arif emphasized that his party continues to coordinate with stakeholders, both with related Ministries/Institutions as well as with transportation facilities and infrastructure operators.

"Antara lain kami berkoordinasi dengan PT Pelindo untuk menerjunkan kapal tugboat guna menjamin keamanan proses sandar kapal di Pelabuhan, mengingat yang akan ada pepal-pala milik TNI AL yang juga akan masuk/sadar ke Pelabuhan Labuan Bajo, katanya.

In addition to assigning KM Sinabung, Arif revealed that his party through KSOP Labuan Bajo had also arranged the placement of the 10 best Pinisi ships as background meetings in the waters in front of the Meruorah Hotel, which will be used for Meeting activities, Incentive Convention and Exhibition (MICE) as well as accommodation locations for delegates.

"The placement of the phinisi ship as a background is one of our efforts to introduce and promote Labuan Bajo tourism to foreign guests, so that it can be another alternative tourist in Indonesia besides Bali," said Arif.

As for supporting security on the sea transportation side, Arif said that his party would deploy a KPLP patrol boat, KN Chundamani P.116 belonging to the Class II Tanjung Perak Marine and Coast Guard Base (PLP) to patrol around the waters of Labuan Bajo.

"We are also alerting the Marine and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP) personnel to participate in guarding and securing the series of events at the 42nd ASEAN Summit," he said.