Malaysian ship in Kalimantan

BANJARMASIN, S. Kalimantan: A Malaysian passenger ship will soon ply the Banjarmasin-Sampit (Central Kalimantan) route on the Barito river, Antara reported yesterday.

After a trial run of the ship Thursday, head of the province's sea transportation office, Ardiansyah, said here that the Malaysian ship would be managed by a local private company.

"The company has already obtained a permit from the directorate general of sea transportation to operate here," he said.

He expressed hope that the ship would boost tourism in the area.

Ardiansyah said his office was willing to help travel bureaus with access to the ship, Sasaran Muhibah.

"Central Kalimantan has never had a ship with adequate facilities to serve tourists," he said.

Traveling on the ship, he added, it would only take five hours from Banjarmasin to Sampit.

The air-conditioned ship is able to carry 144 people.