Currently ferry transport between Merak and Bakauheni in Lampung, in southern tip of Sumatra is hindered by angry sea and strong winds.
Merak, Banten (ANTARA News) - Bad weather in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra resulted in two kilometer queue of thousands of trucks and private cars in the road heading for the port of Merak, in Banten.

Currently ferry transport between Merak and Bakauheni in Lampung, in southern tip of Sumatra is hindered by angry sea and strong winds, Mario Oetomo Sardadi , the spokesman of the Merak branch of PT ASDP Ferry Indonesia, which operates ferry transport in Sunda Strait, said.

"ASDP Merak has to temporary close two quays on bad weather in the Sunda Strait with sea waves rising as high as four meters," Mario said here on Thursday.

ASDP operates only 17 units of "roll on roll" ships with larger capacity to serve the route between Merak and Bakauheni, he said.

"As a result many vehicles mostly trucks have to queue waiting for their turn to board the vessels," he said.

The number of the ships would soon be increased if the condition allows, he added.

The condition has been bad since Wednesday night , he said.

"We have been here for over five hours," a truck driver said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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