ASDP suspends several shipping routes in East Nusa Tenggara due to severe weather

Kupang — PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry’s Kupang Branch has temporarily suspended operations on several shipping routes in the East Nusa Tenggara region due to severe weather conditions affecting local waters.

At a briefing in Kupang on Monday, Ramlan Iyang, Business Manager for PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry Kupang Branch, stated that the closure would be in effect from Monday through Thursday, 5 March. “Yes, that’s correct. We are closing several shipping routes due to severe weather, starting today through Thursday,” he said.

The suspended routes include Kupang-Larantuka, Kupang-Lembata, Kupang-Kalabahi, and Kupang-Rote. These are all long-distance routes that traverse waters prone to high waves. The Kupang-Hansisi route to Semau Island remains operational, as it is a short route less affected by severe weather such as high waves.

The Kupang Class III Port Authority has issued a circular (UM.006/114/KSOP Kupang-2026) directed at all ship operators, captains, passengers, and vessels, urging them to defer sailing for the next several days whilst monitoring weather conditions and postponing voyages until conditions improve.

However, captains and operators of larger vessels deemed sufficiently seaworthy to navigate are advised to ensure their ships meet all requirements by submitting a captain’s declaration statement. They must also monitor weather conditions at least six hours before requesting sailing approval documentation (SPB), and confirm that all safety equipment is available, properly installed, in good condition, and sufficient for passenger capacity.

The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has issued a warning for waves reaching up to four metres high in East Nusa Tenggara waters from Monday to Thursday, 5 March. According to Yandri Anderudson Tungga, Head of the Tenau Maritime Meteorology Station in Kupang, shipping companies and fishing vessels must take precautions to minimise the risk of maritime accidents.

Waves of 2.5-4.0 metres are expected in the southern Sape Strait, southern Flores waters, southern Alor-Pantar waters, western Sumba Strait, Laut Sawu Strait, Ombai Strait, southern Sumba waters, and northern Sabu-Raijua waters. Additionally, waves may affect southern Sabu-Raijua waters, northern Timor waters, northern Kupang-Rote waters, and southern Timor-Rote waters.