Cilegon, CNN Indonesia —
Port MerakBanten and Bakauheni Port, Lampung were closed again due to bad weather on Saturday (31/12).
“Regarding the weather conditions, we can inform you that the Ferry Express and Regular Merak and Bakauheni services are temporarily closed,” said the information from the official account of PT ASPD Indonesia Ferry, @asdp191.
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry has apologized for the closure of the port connecting the islands of Java and Sumatra. The closure was done for the safety and convenience of the community.
“This is solely for navigational safety and, of course, for the safety of all users of the Ferry service,” said ASDP Corporate Secretary Shelvy Arifin.
Shelvy said weather conditions in the Sunda Strait were not friendly. This is in accordance with the BMKG’s forecast that heavy rains will occur during the 2023 New Year holidays.
People who will cross the Sunda Strait are asked to be patient and not force themselves to continue the journey.
“Extreme weather conditions that can change at any time can certainly impact the process of docking vessels. We hope service users can understand the dynamics on land,” said Shelvy.
Separately, the General Manager of PT. ASDP Indonesia Ferry Bakauheni Suharto Branch has confirmed again the closure of the crossing because the weather conditions were not favorable for navigation.
“Yes, that’s right, the ASDP management has set the departure of vessels for Merak-Bakauheni and Bakauhen-Merak ports for this afternoon around 4.00pm WIB due to weather conditions,” he said on Saturday (31/12).
This policy forced dozens of pedestrian passengers who were about to set sail for the port of Merak on the KMP vessel Néomi to cancel their journey.
Bakauheni ASDP officers also asked those who had previously been waiting at the regular walkway at Bakauheni Port Pier 2 to step off the walkway and wait in the ticket service hall.
Dozens of vehicles that had previously entered the ship had to exit again and park their vehicles in the port parking lot.
“The bad weather that occurs like this is obviously worrying and definitely also a waste of time. But what can you do, the crossing is closed, so you have to wait,” said Firmansyah, a passenger from Jati Agung District, Lampung , to CNNIndonesia.comSaturday (31/12) afternoon.
(please/back/from)
