Makassar delivers ordered vessels

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Asmar Jaya Pratama, a private company manufacturing traditional vessels, has delivered two ships ordered by Australia and Sweden.

The launching of the two ships worth Rp 1.2 billion was conducted in a traditional ceremony at the Bontobahari dockyard, Bulukumba, over the weekend.

Andi Sulthan, owner of the ship-manufacturing company, said the two vessels each with 20 rooms and 400 horse-power engines would be used as cruisers in the two countries.

"We spent 14 months in total and Rp 1.2 billion to manufacture the two vessels," he said.

He said his company had received many orders, from both at home and overseas, to build local phinisi (schooners). --Antara