2 Years Suspended Due To The COVIOD Pandemic, International Shipping Route Karimun-Malaysia Reopens

Fast boats from Batam dock at Karimun Port/ANTARA

BATAM - International shipping routes to Karimun Regency-Malaysia will be reopened starting May 19, 2022 after being in suspended animation for more than 2 years.

The Head of the Riau Islands Tourism Office, Buralimar, said that the potential for tourist visits from Malaysia to increase sharply after the government opened access to international shipping to Karimun.

Moreover, there are many conveniences obtained by foreign tourists who want to visit Karimun, such as no need for an antigen swab test or a PCR test if the vaccine is complete.

The urge for Karimun residents to go to Malaysia and vice versa psychologically has long been awakened, but has been held back due to COVID-19. Many Malaysians have family in Karimun so they can release their longing after more than 2 years of not seeing each other.

"Malaysia, which is neighboring Karimun, is quite close, plus the relatively affordable cost of sea transportation can increase tourist visits from Malaysia to Karimun," he said in Tanjunginang, Antara, Wednesday, May 18.

The Head of the Riau Islands Transportation Agency, Junaidi, added that the inaugural international shipping route for the Karimun International Port-Kukup Malaysia International Port began to reopen on May 19, 2022. Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad will open the ceremonial event for the inaugural voyage in Karimun.

Five fast boat trips every day carry passengers from Karimun to Malaysia and vice versa.

"This is for the initial stage. Later it will be evaluated whether it is added or reduced, depending on the need," he said.

The boat ticket price for adults (round-trip) is 175 ringgit or approximately IDR 585.000 (1 Malaysian ringgit = IDR 3.400), while for a one-way trip it is 145 ringgit (IDR 485.000). Ticket prices for children (round-trip) 145 ringgit, while for a one-way trip 100 ringgit.