Pelni Ambon Adds 2 Ships During Ramadan And Eid 2024

Photo: Doc. Antara

PT Pelni Ambon Branch added two ships to support transportation flows from the eastern region to the west of Indonesia during Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr 2024.

"The two Pelni ships that are prioritized to assist in shipping the east to west route in Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are KM Gunung Dempo and KM Ceremai," said Operations Head of PT Pelni Ambon Branch Budiharto in Ambon, Maluku, quoted from Antara, Monday 11 March.

Budiharto said that currently there are as many as seven ships operating to serve inter-provincial shipping, namely Labobar, Dobonsolo, Ngapulu, Tidar, Dorolonda, Sirimau, Leuser and two pioneer ships for the 71st belt and 106 belts.

"With the addition of the Mount Dempo and Ceremai ships, there are a total of 11 ships operated during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. It is also our preparation for the flow of homecoming and backflow later," he explained.

Budiharto added that for the addition of non-seat seats, his party is still waiting for permission from the Ministry of Transportation to enforce non-seat tickets or without beds for passengers.

"Usually we have an additional 20 to 30 percent of the ship's capacity and it also depends on the availability of safety equipment. Currently we are still waiting for permission from Transportation regarding this matter," he explained.

Meanwhile, Budiharto said, his party also predicts that there will be a surge in passengers departing from Ambon on D-7 before Eid al-Fitr and D+7 Eid al-Fitr.

Therefore, his party is intensively coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure the smooth and safety of Pelni ships during Ramadan until the end of Eid al-Fitr later.

Previously, Pelni Ambon Branch had also imposed a maximum trunk limit for ship passengers of 40 kilograms and for those who experienced excesses, they would be charged Rp. 2,000 per kilogram.

With the maximum baggage limitation, a balance of luggage will be carried out before leaving, if there is an excess, it will be charged.

For the implementation of this policy, his party has alerted officers to evaluate what items are included in the category of excess baggage and which are categorized as cubication.