The Ministry Of Transportation Has Assigned Pelni To Operate KM Sinabung As An Accommodation Of The ASEAN Summit In Labuan Bajo

Photo: Doc. Antara

The Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has assigned PT Pelni (Persero) to operate the Sinabung Motor Ship (KM) as a floating accommodation to support the implementation of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Director General of Sea Transportation Arif Toha in his statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, May 2, said KM Sinabung plans to dock at the Labuan Bajo Waterfront Pier from 7 to 12 May 2023 and will be prioritized to accommodate foreign guests consisting of foreign journalists/media who do not receive accommodation in Labuan Bajo.

"The Sinabung ship has a length of 150 meters and a capacity to accommodate approximately 2,000 pax. This ship will be docked adjacent to the KRI ship (Warship ship of the Republic of Indonesia) which functions as a floating/emergency hospital at the Waterfront Pier Labuan Bajo," said Arif, as quoted by Antara.

To ensure service, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation continues to prepare, both in terms of safety, shipping security, comfort and availability of port facilities.

Director General Arif has also instructed the Head of the Labuan Bajo Class III KSOP Office to prepare port facilities and infrastructure, including port facilities, dock dock, and passenger terminal buildings to serve as the command center.

"In addition, we also provide a special area at Waterfront Terminal to be used as an MSME exhibition venue that can accommodate a total of 45 booths both indoors and outdoors," said Arif.

As for the smoothness and security of shipping, Arif said that the Directorate General of Sea Transportation has regulated the 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.

Meanwhile, to ensure the smooth entry and exit of ships at Labuan Bajo Port during the ASEAN Summit, he stated that the Directorate General of Sea Transportation also continues to coordinate with stakeholders, both with relevant ministries/agencies and also with transportation facilities and infrastructure operators.

"Between other things, we are coordinating with PT Pelindo to deploy tugboats to ensure the security of the ship's docking process at the port, considering that there will be ships belonging to the Indonesian Navy that will also enter / port to Labuan Bajo Port," he said.

In addition to assigning KM Sinabung, said Arif, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation through the Labuan Bajo KSOP has also arranged the placement of the top ten Pinisi ships as background meetings in the waters in front of the Meruorah Hotel which will be used for meeting activities, incentives, and exhibitions (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.

Meanwhile, to support security on the sea transportation side, Arif said that the Directorate General of Sea Transportation 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 ASEAN's 42nd Summit events," said Arif.