No license for executive ferry

SERANG, West Java: A local ferry operator has failed to secure the license to operate a luxury liner linking Merak with Bakauheni because the ship is still flying a Panamanian flag.

Merak port chief administrator H.M. Thamrin A.R. confirmed that the ship, the Bahtera Princess, will not be plying the route.

The Panama-registered ship is owned by Singapore-based Indo Falcon Shipping PTE Ltd and was to be operated under a joint venture with PT Marinemas Gunausaha, a private operator, and the state owned PT ASDP, according to Antara.

The liner, which ran a trial operation for two days in May, has been docking at Merak.

The plan to send it back to Singapore has been hampered by more red tape.

Thamrin said he refused to give the clearance for the ship to set sail because its registration certificate expired on June 6. (emb)