Ferry ship catches fire at Ketapang Port, suspected electrical short circuit

Banyuwangi — A Motor Ferry Crossing vessel (KMP Portlink VII) caught fire whilst loading vehicles at Berth MB-IV of Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java on Wednesday evening, suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, though no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Bayu Kusumo Nugroho, Coordinator of the Ketapang Ferry Port Service Unit at the Class II Regional Transport Authority (BPTD) of East Java Province, stated that the ferry vessel operated by PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (a state-owned enterprise) caught fire due to a suspected electrical short circuit.

“The fire has been extinguished, and the suspected cause of the ferry fire is due to an electrical cable short circuit,” he said when contacted in Banyuwangi on Wednesday evening.

He stated that the fire did not result in any injuries or fatalities, as all passengers were evacuated immediately upon the outbreak of the fire.

“There were no casualties; everyone was immediately evacuated (passengers and vehicles),” he said.

According to reports, KMP Portlink VII was engaged in loading vehicles and passengers at 20:22 Western Indonesian Time (WIB). Shortly after loading several vehicles, a spark suddenly appeared on the second deck and the ship caught fire.

A spokesperson for PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry’s Ketapang branch has not yet issued an official statement regarding the ferry fire incident.