Sinking 'Leuser' to be replaced

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)