"We received a report saying that so far the Merak-Bakauheni crossing is normal and safe," he stated while inspecting the readiness of Christmas and New Year transportation flow at the executive pier of Merak Port.
Effendy observed that the weather in the waters of the northern Sunda Strait, which is the passage of the Merak-Bakauheni crossing, remained normal and safe.
However, he reminded the public to watch out for tidal waves in case of weather changes.
He also urged to anticipate the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau, although based on the report of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), it is currently inactive.
Furthermore, the current facilities and volume-to-capacity ratio (V/C ratio), or the ratio of the number of passengers or vehicles to the port capacity, are safe at below 0.3.
The V/C ratio both at Merak Port and Bakauheni Port was below 4, so the port conditions were very safe, the minister remarked.
"This is very good and under control," Effendy stated.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi remarked that state ferry operator ASDP Indonesia had obligated passengers to buy tickets online in order to prevent traffic congestion.
"We ask the president director of ASDP to pay attention to weather anomalies, so that passengers at the Merak-Bakauheni ferry crossing can safely reach their destination," he remarked.
During his working visit to Merak, Banten, Minister Effendy was accompanied by Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Director of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry Ira Puspita Dewi, Head of Police Traffic Corps, Inspector General Aan Suhanan, and Governor of Banten Al Muktabar.
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Translator: Mansyur S, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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