Bad Weather, ASDP Still Closes Ferry Boat Journey from Kupang NTT

JAKARTA - PT Angkutan Sungai, Danau dan Penyeberangan (ASDP) Indonesia Feri Cabang Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), stated that it was still closing all long-distance shipping routes in the region due to bad weather.

"The spread to a number of areas in NTT is still stopped due to bad weather," said PT ASDP Indonesia Feri Branch Manager of Kupang Ramlan Iyang in Kupang, Tuesday, quoted by Antara.

He said this temporary suspension was carried out following a ban on sailing from the Kupang City Office and Port Authority (KSOP) due to high waves.

A number of shipping routes that were closed included the Kupang-Larantuka, Kupang-Lembata, Kupang-Kalabahi, and Kupang-Rote service routes.

A number of shipping routes, he continued, are long and long shipping routes and pass through waters with high waves.

Meanwhile, the Kupang-Hansisi (Semau Island) service route is still open, he said, because the sailing route is short and not too affected by bad weather such as high waves.

"For crossing to Hansisi and vice versa, we see the weather, if possible we walk, but if not, it is stopped," he said.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Tenau Maritime Meteorology Station has issued early warning information in the form of high waves in NTT waters.

Waves with a potential height of 2.5 meters to 4 meters will occur from March 10-13 this week.

Therefore, ship managers are urged not to sail and anticipate ship accidents while sailing.

Wave heights of 2.5 to 4 meters are potentially occurring in the West Sumba Strait, Sawu Sea, and the South Sumba waters.