New shipping route to open

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Residents of Sikka regency, who live in relative isolation, will soon enjoy a regular shipping service connecting them to Kupang and Surabaya three times a month.

Kirana II ship begins its Surabaya-Maumere-Kupang service this week. The ship is owned by PT Dharma Lautan Utama.

Head of Maumere branch of Dharma Lautan Utama, Munarsyah AT, said the ship travels at a speed of 12.5 knots and could transport 1,200 passengers, 180 cars and 6,229 tons of goods.

"It takes three hours for the ship to load up and unload its passengers and goods at each port," he told The Jakarta Post.

The ticket fare from Maumere to Kupang is Rp 65,000 and to Surabaya it is Rp 165,000.

Sikka Regent Paulus Moa said that the shipping line would provide a welcome boost to the regency's economy. -- JP