No license for executive ferry

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)