Directorate General of Sea Transportation, under Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation, has implemented risk mitigation measures for vessels crossing the Bali Strait after the sinking of the Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry in waters between Java and Bali.
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry’s Corporate Secretary, Shelvy Arifin, announced on Thursday, July 17, that all vessels operating on the Ketapang–Gilimanuk ferry route were undergoing comprehensive inspections to ensure seaworthiness.
“The inspection is to ensure that all operating vessels are seaworthy,” Arifin stated, as quoted by Antarabali.
Vessel Inspection Results
Out of 54 ferries reviewed by the Directorate, 45 passed inspection and received clearance to operate. Several former Landing Craft Tank (LCT) vessels were also granted limited sailing permits, under enhanced oversight and restrictions.
These include:
- MV Agung Samudra IX
- MV Jambo VI
- MV Liputan XII
- MV Samudra Utama
Restrictions for these cargo-focused vessels include:
- A maximum operating load of 75%
- Prohibition on carrying passengers or small vehicles
- Limited operation only if technical issues are minor
Director General of Sea Transportation, Muhammad Masyhud, emphasized the urgency of these restrictions to ensure safety.
“The Directorate General continues to evaluate and verify vessel seaworthiness in stages,” he said, according to Beritajatim.
Delays, Traffic Congestion & Port Conditions
As of 07:00 AM local time on July 17, 22 vessels were active in the Bali Strait, using four Movable Bridge (MB) docks and one Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) dock.
Due to the limited number of operating vessels and high cargo traffic, vehicle queues at Ketapang Port extended up to 15 kilometers. PT ASDP apologized for the inconvenience and said it is working with port authorities, the Directorate, and other stakeholders to restore service.
At Gilimanuk Port, traffic conditions improved, with queues now reaching only up to Gilimanuk Mosque, according to Village Head Ida Bagus Tony Wirahadikusuma.
The Banyuwangi Police have advised travelers to postpone trips to Bali temporarily or consider alternate routes. A representative explained that the reduced ferry count was caused by docking and inspection procedures affecting roughly 17 LCM vessels.
Sources: BeritaJatim, AntaraBali
Feat Image: via National Search and Rescue Agency