REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, AMBON -- PT Pelni Cabang Ambon adds two ships to support the flow of transportation from eastern to western Indonesia during Ramadan and Eid 2024.
“The two Pelni ships that are prioritized to help the east-to-west passage cruise during Ramadan and Eid are KM Gunung Dempo and KM Ceremai,” said PT Pelni Branch Operations Manager Ambon Budiarto.
Budiarto said there are currently as many as seven vessels operating to serve inter-provincial voyages. Namely Labobar, Dobonsolo, Ngapulu, Tidar, Dorolonda, Sirimau, Leuser and two pioneer ships belt 71 and belt 106.
“With the addition of the Mount Dempo and Ceremai Ships, there are a total of 11 vessels operated during Ramadan and Eid. It was also our preparation for the homecoming and counter-current later,” Budiarto explained.
Budiarto added that for the addition of a nonseat seat or a chair without a bed until now it was still waiting for permission from the Ministry of Transportation.
“Usually in Pelni there is an addition of 20 to 30 percent of the ship's capacity and it also depends on the availability of safety equipment. At the moment we are still waiting for permission from the Ministry of Transportation regarding this,” Budiarto said.
Meanwhile, Budiarto said it also predicts there will be a surge in passengers departing from Ambon on H-7 before Eid and H+7 Eid. Therefore, it is also actively coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure the smooth and safety of Pelni's sailing during Ramadan until after Eid al-Fitr.
Previously, Pelni Branch Ambon has also implemented a maximum 40 kilogram passenger baggage restriction and for those who experience excess will be charged IDR 2,000 per kilogram. With maximum baggage restrictions, luggage will be weighed before departure, if there is excess, a fee will be charged.
For the implementation of this policy, it alerts officers to evaluate which items fall into the excess baggage category and which fall into the cubicated category.