Pelni Ambon Proposes Adding 2 Ships To Anticipate The Surge In Christmas And New Year's Homecoming Flows

Pelni Ship docked at Yos Sudarso Port in Ambon. (Between/John Soplanit)

MALUKU - PT Pelni Ambon branch proposed adding two ships to support transportation flows in eastern Indonesia in anticipation of increasing the flow of homecoming for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

"We have proposed to the Central Pelni Office for the addition of two ships, namely KM Gunung Dempo and KM Ceremai," said Operations Manager of PT Pelni Ambon Branch Muhammad Assagaff in Ambon, Tuesday, November 21, confiscated by Antara.

According to him, learning from last year's experience, his party provided 10 ships to serve passenger flow in the eastern region to help smooth the homecoming flow,"

He detailed that currently 10 ships sailing to serve transportation in eastern Indonesia oversee the Yos Sudarso Ambon Port, namely KM Labobar, KM Dorolonda, KM Dobonsolo, KM Ngapulu, KM Tidar, KM Sirimau, KM Leuser, KM Tatamailau, KM Sangian, and KM Pangrango.

"Of the 10 ships that have a base in Ambon, it is KM Pangrango, which has just finished boarding the dock," he said.

He said the proposed addition of ships was due to the Pelni ship which helped the voyage to Jayapura, only two ships, namely KM Dobonsolo, and KM Labobar.

"Usually KM Dobonsolo in shipping according to routes from Jakarta to Jayapura twice in one month, while KM Labobar only once in one month," he said.

He hopes that the addition of the proposed Pelni ship will be approved to assist in services in the face of the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year holidays.

As for pioneer ships that continue to sail the waters in Maluku, there are seven ships, five base ships in Ambon one ship in Ternate and the other in Saumlaki, Tanimbar Islands Regency.

There are five Pioneer Ships whose bases are in Ambon, namely KM Sabuk Nusantara 71, KM Sabuk Nusantara 87, KM Sabuk Nusantara 103, KM Sabuk Nusantara 106, and KM Sabuk Nusantara 107. Meanwhile, those in Saumlaki are KM Sabuk Nusantara 104.

He added, related to the flow of passengers, it is estimated that in early December there has been an increase because it has entered the holiday for school children, Christmas and New Year.

He added that currently Pelni continues to socialize the purchase of ship tickets online so that there is no need to queue and be more efficient.