Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - State-owned ship builder PT PAL Indonesia has handed over a hospital ship of type-124 landing platform dock (LPD), ordered by the Indonesian Navy, to support its non-military mission.

President Director of PT PAL Indonesia Budiman Saleh stated here on Monday that the ship will be in service, as KRI Semarang had cleared the checking stage and series of stringent testing.

"After a series of sea trials lasting for three days, followed by commodore inspection, this ship is proven to be qualified," Saleh noted at the handover ceremony held at the company`s merchant ship division dock in Ujung area of the Tanjung Perak Port.

Saleh revealed that the company will optimize its resources to work on further ship orders, and it will continue to transform its combatant ship market.

The production process of the ship has run as per schedule. The ship was built in 23 months and is equipped with two landing craft utility and a capacity to carry 700 passengers.

The hospital ship has a speed of 16 knots, with two 2920KW-boosters. It can sail for 30 days and transport three helicopters, two landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) vessels, and some fighting vehicles.

The new hospital ship will add to the current Navy`s fleet that earlier had only one hospital ship, KRI Dr Soeharso (990).

Reporting by A Malik Ibrahim, Sri Haryati

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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