Pelni begins transporting aid for NTT earthquake victims aboard KM Tidar
PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (PT Pelni/Persero) has begun transporting humanitarian aid for earthquake victims in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) using KM Tidar from Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya to the affected areas to accelerate logistics distribution.
“This is the inaugural departure of humanitarian aid that we are transporting aboard KM Tidar,” said Pelni Director of Freight and Sea Toll Business Hana Suhardi, confirmed in Jakarta on Monday.
She said the humanitarian aid departure was carried out from Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya on Sunday night (16/8). The inaugural departure carried around 200 packages of aid to be unloaded at Lorens Say Port in Maumere, NTT.
“KM Tidar is scheduled to arrive in Maumere on 19 August 2026 at around 20.00 Wita,” she said.
Hana said the move is a form of Pelni’s contribution in supporting the distribution process of aid for communities affected by the earthquake in NTT as well as accelerating the distribution of basic needs through Pelni’s ship connectivity.
“There are around 200 packages of aid being carried to Maumere, with the cargo dominated by basic foodstuffs and essential community needs. We hope this aid can be received promptly and provide benefits for the affected communities,” Hana explained.
The aid transported includes rice, cooking oil, baby nappies, biscuits, and various other essential needs. The aid will be transported following KM Tidar’s regular route, which includes Makassar, Baubau, Maumere, Larantuka, Lewoleba, and Kupang.
In addition to KM Tidar, Pelni has also prepared several ships serving NTT routes to support the distribution of humanitarian aid, including KM Bukit Siguntang, KM Lambelu, KM Tilongkabila, KM Wilis, and KM Awu. Subsequent aid transport will follow the regular schedules and ports of call of each ship.
Hana added that Pelni has opened aid collection posts at several branches located along the routes of the state-owned shipping company’s vessels.
These posts coordinate with the local harbourmaster’s office (KSOP), Pelindo, and local port community organisations (KOPP) to ensure the aid reception and delivery process runs smoothly.
“We will adjust aid delivery to the regular schedules of our ships. We are also keeping the fleet serving the NTT region on standby to continue operating and supporting the recovery efforts of communities in the disaster-affected areas,” Hana added.
KM Tidar’s captain, Capt. Noviansyah Sarifrudin, expressed appreciation to the public for entrusting humanitarian aid to be transported using Pelni ships.
He said KM Tidar will carry the aid to Maumere and continue its route to Larantuka, Lewoleba, and Kupang.
“We have also coordinated with Pelni agents at the ports of call to ensure the ship’s operations run smoothly,” said Novi.
Pelni previously opened a free humanitarian aid delivery service for institutions, communities, and agencies wishing to channel aid to earthquake victims in NTT. Aid can be submitted through collection posts at Pelni branches located along the ship routes.
Through its sea connectivity support, Pelni is committed to continuing to support the acceleration of aid distribution and the recovery of disaster-affected communities in NTT while prioritising safety and smooth shipping operations.