Deserted ships block harbor

AMBON, Maluku: Port officials are still unable to remove four crippled and deserted South Korean fishing boats which have been lodged in front of Ambon harbor for a week, Antara reported.

Indonesian port official Ibrahim Pesiwarissa said the four vessels were blocking much of the port's normal activities, which include loading and unloading cargo along with supplying ships with fuel and water.

As a result, incoming ships have had to wait in queues of three ships to five ships before being able to berth, Ibrahim said.

The four South Korean vessels were operated in cooperation with two Indonesian fishery companies, PT Papeda Laut and PT Laut Arafura Indah.

Hengky Sirait, director of PT Papenda Laut, said the vessels were dead in the water because of serious engine trouble.

"All of the crews have returned to South Korea and their boats' damaged engines can be repaired only with spare parts from South Korea," he said.