Used ferries to start work

MERAK, West Java: The state-run ferry service PT ASDP plans to buy three ferryboats next year for the Merak-Bakauheni route which links Java and Sumatra.

Syahwin Hamid, president-director of PT ASDP, was quoted by Antara saying Monday the ferryboats would be purchased with a government loan channeled through Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI).

"The plan has been approved by the finance ministry," he said, adding the ferryboats, to be bought at Rp 42 billion, were secondhand -- at least 10 years old.

"We do not have the finance to buy new ones," Hamid said, saying one new ferryboat cost about US$ 17 million (about Rp 40 billion).

"So if we buy a new one, we will only get one ferryboat," he added.

He said the ferries could each carry at least 120 cars and 1,000 passengers, and have a speed of 15 knots per hour. (swe)