Sinking 'Leuser' to be replaced

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto ordered the state-owned shipping company PT Pelni yesterday to find another passenger ship to take over from the now-sinking KM Leuser.

After inspecting the sinking ship at Muara Sangasanga on the Mahakam River, some 10 nautical miles from here, Haryanto said that another ship would be needed to serve the route for at least six months.

"This is especially to anticipate the increase in the number of passengers in the run up to the Idul Fitri Moslem holiday," he said.

Haryanto said the ship had already tilted some 80 degrees to the left and it would take at least ten months to fix it in PT PAL's Surabaya shipyard in East Java.

He said an estimated US$30 million was needed to fix the German-made ship. PT Jasindo insurance company will pay for the repairs.

KM Leuser began to sink after colliding last Thursday with the motorized boat KM Kayu Lapis V.

It was carrying 716 passengers when it collided on the way to Toli-toli. There were no casualties. (42)