Operate Three Assistance Ships to the Sumatra Region, ASDP Ensure Regular Services Remain Normal

JAKARTA - PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) has deployed three ships to support the distribution of logistics to the North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh regions affected by floods. The company ensures that this does not interfere with regular crossing services.

ASDP President Director Heru Widodo expressed deep condolences over the disaster that occurred in several areas in Sumatra. He said, the post-disaster recovery process takes a long time and involves many parties.

Heru said that the operation of the ship was a form of the company's concern for the community affected by the disaster. He said that all costs would be borne by ASDP.

"ASDP has a commitment to help our brothers and sisters. ASDP has operated three ships to send logistical assistance," he said at the ASDP office, Jakarta, Monday, December 15.

Heru said the first ship deployed was Jatra II. The ship was used to transport aid in the form of basic necessities and heavy equipment to Sibolga-Gunungsitoli-Teluk Bayur.

Furthermore, ASDP also operates the Aceh Hebat ship to distribute LPG to the Aceh region to meet the community's energy needs during the emergency period.

In addition, ASDP is preparing the latest ship, Jatra I, which is currently still in the loading process. The ship will transport various aid materials, including food, heavy equipment, and volunteers who will be deployed to North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh.

Responding to concerns about potential operational disruptions, Heru emphasized that the operation of the relief ship would not affect the regular crossing service that has been running.

English:

"We ensure that the humanitarian mission we are carrying out does not interfere with services on existing routes. The ships used are in principle on the same track," he explained.

For Jatra I, Heru explained that the ship had previously experienced a stranded incident and had undergone repair. After the humanitarian mission was completed, the ship will be returned to serve the regular route.

English:

"After the assistance is completed, the Jatra I ship will be operated again on the Sibolga-Nias track as before," concluded Heru.