Merak, Banten (ANTARA) - Three large ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) ships have been readied at Indah Kiat Port, Cilegon, Banten Province, to help ease traffic congestion at Merak Port, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has informed.
"At Indah Kiat Port, three large ro-ro ships have been prepared with a route serving Panjang Port, Lampung," he said in Banten on Saturday.
Some trucks have been directed to Indah Kiat Port, he informed adding, the one-way large ships can carry up to 200 vehicles.
He revealed that the density of vehicles queueing to enter the ships increased because there were cars that were already parked at the port, even though the scheduled departure was much later.
"Yesterday, there were vehicles scrambling to get on the ship first, not following the schedule. So, (some) people who were scheduled to depart could not even enter the ship," he explained.
Meanwhile, Banten Police Chief Inspector General Rudy Heriyanto said that with the opening of Indah Kiat Port for logistics vehicles, the exodus flow could be served by eight piers, in addition to the seven docks belonging to state-owned passenger ferry operator ASDP Merak, consisting of one executive dock and six regular docks.
Furthermore, with the Indah Kiat Port serving logistics vehicles, the congestion of homecoming traffic flow through the ASDP Merak docks can be reduced, he added.
"We will continue to make various efforts so that the flow of homecoming (traffic) is smooth," Heriyanto said.
Currently, the Indah Kiat Port, which is a subsidiary of APP Sinar Mas, is being used as an alternative for logistics and travelers to reduce the traffic density at Merak Port during the Eid exodus period.
"We support the government's directives to help break down congestion at Merak Port for travelers," APP Sinar Mas director Suhendra Wiriadinata said.
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