The state-owned passenger ferry operator PT ASDP has ensured that all ferry services in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region continue to operate normally following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores District.
ASDP President Director Heru Widodo confirmed that all ferry operations in NTT, including in Kupang and Labuan Bajo, remain normal under strict weather monitoring.
"We ensure that ferry services continue to operate safely. Even amidst a disaster situation, we remain committed to maintaining connectivity," he said here on Saturday.
Mount Lewotobi erupted on Friday (October 10), sending an ash column 600 meters above its peak, with an amplitude of 10.5 millimeters and lasting 140 seconds.
According to Widodo, as a maritime transportation company serving inter-island connectivity, ASDP is committed to ensuring smooth public mobility and logistics distribution, especially along vital routes in eastern Indonesia.
One key strategic route is the Labuan Bajo–Sape (NTB) line, which serves as a crucial hub for logistics and interprovincial mobility and as a primary alternative should the eastern Flores crossing be affected by volcanic activity, he explained.
Meanwhile, ASDP Corporate Secretary Shelvy Arifin stated that the Labuan Bajo–Sape route continues to operate daily, with departures at 10:00 a.m. Central Indonesian Time (WITA), using the KMP Cakalang and KMP Cucut vessels.
Based on ASDP data from January to September 2025, the Labuan Bajo–Sape route served 24,964 passengers and 11,555 vehicles, dominated by motorcycles (5,482 units) and private cars (2,968 units).
These figures demonstrate the route’s vital role in supporting economic and tourism activity in eastern Indonesia.
Arifin added that ASDP continues to coordinate with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and local port authorities to ensure vessel readiness and maritime navigation safety across all operational routes.
Furthermore, the company has also prepared rerouting scenarios if necessary to ensure the smooth distribution of logistics and public transportation.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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