"I will immediately ask that operation permits (for new ships) be issued soon. This step is required to avoid ship congestion as is happening now," Numberi said during an impromptu inspection at Merak ferry terminal, Serang, on Saturday.
Numberi said the government was very concerned about the inter-insular transportation congestions that have been going on for the last one month at Merak, the port on Java island from where people are ferried over to Bakauheni in Lampung, Sumatra.
The congestions were causing queues of more than 10 kilometers of trucks laden with various commodities and other commercial items that needed to get on board ferries to Sumatra. Of the total 24 ferries operated by state-owned and private operator, 18 are currently in docks for routine servicing.
During normal operation, the sea-link between Merak and Bakauheni - a two-hour trip - served by those ferries for 24 hours.
Minister Numberi added that in addition to scarcity of the ferries due to their regular technical check up, the high waves in the Sunda strait has also been another factor making the normal trips hampered.
"When weather is bad not all of the berths can be operated because two of the five berths at Merak can`t be used as they directly face the sea," said Minister Numberi, a former naval vice-admiral who once commandeered some warships in his military carrier.
Upon the direct order of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on March 1, the Transportation Ministry has since earlier this week deployed some navy and civilian ships to help with easing the congestion at Merak, hoping the traffic jam would come to an end.(*)
KR-VFT/HAJM/S012
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
