Indonesian Navy to deploy 27 warships for holidaymakers

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Navy will deploy 27 of its warships to help transport millions of people who will be traveling by seas in the coming holiday season, the Ministry of Communications said on Tuesday.

Without the frills offered by passenger liners, the Navy is offering its 947,000 places available on its 27 ships during the holiday at half the going economic rate.

"Passengers only need to pay for the meals on board," Director General of Sea Transportation Tjuk Sukardiman was quoted by Antara as saying.

Tickets for services out of Jakarta will be sold by Pelni, the state-owned shipping line, in its counters in Tanjung Priok port, North Jakarta, and Pelni head office in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

The government estimates that one million people will be traveling by ships during the Christmas, Idul Fitri and New Year holidays at the end of this month. This represents a 20 percent increase from last year's level.

M. Simaremare, executive manager of the directorate of sea traffic at the directorate general, a total of 602 ships belonging to Pelni, the Navy and private operators would be deployed during the holiday.

He said problems usually developed because the bulk of the people want to travel at the same time, usually closer to Christmas and Idul Fitri, the Muslim holiday marking the end of the Ramadhan fasting month which falls on Dec. 27.

The government has predicted the number of people who will be traveling during the holiday across the country will reach 18 million people, up from 16 million last year. (04)