Gapasdap Ready to Comply with Minister of Transportation's Regulations
KALIPURO – Date 9 August will be the last day for Landing Craft Tank ships (LCT) to operate in the Bali Strait. This rule was confirmed by the Director General of Public Relations, Djoko Sasono, which stated that LCT type ships could no longer be used as ferry transportation starting from that date 9 August 2015.
Ship entrepreneurs who are members of the River and Ferry Transport Entrepreneurs Association (Gapasdap) Banyuwangi is ready to comply with the determined rules. Chairman of the DPC Gapasdap Banyuwangi, Novi Budiyanto, admitted that he had received a letter from the Ministry of Transportation which stated the starting date 9 August 2015 or since 00.00 date 10 August 2015 LCT type ships are no longer allowed to operate at the Ketapang-Gilimanuk Ferry Port.
"We have received a letter from the Ministry of Transportation and we are willing to comply with government regulations not to operate LCT starting from the specified time," said Novi to Jawa Pos Radar Banyuwangi yesterday. His party admitted that they would be cooperative with the rules that had been determined.
Besides that, Gapasdap has also forwarded this information to all LCT ship owners and entrepreneurs. "We urge ship owners and LCT service users to also respond wisely to this government decision. "We are willing, if necessary, to assist in the smooth operation of the Ketapang-Gilimanuk crossing," he added.
Meanwhile, With the existing grace period, up to now, LCT type ships can still be seen operating on the Java-Bali crossing route. Gapasdap mentioned, still have 12 LCT type ships are still operating to this day, Meanwhile, the other two LCT type ships are currently undergoing a docking period.
For passenger motorboats (km²) There are three ships currently undergoing annual docking. Among others, KMP Satya Kencana, KMP Dharma Ferry and KMP Trisakti Elvina. "Hopefully, The three docking KMPs can immediately launch to Ketapang when the LCT is not operating.
Including KMP Port Link with ASDP assistance, I hope it can also operate when LCT is not operating," explained Novi. Asked if there was an LCT ship that was able to continue operating after the date 9 next August, Gapasdap is optimistic that this will not happen.
Because, The regulations that have been issued in the form of a letter from the Ministry of Transportation are legal in nature. It means, if the LCT ship entrepreneur continues to operate the ship after the date 9 In August, this will be detrimental to himself later.
"Sanctions if there is an LCT that continues to operate after 9 August is not in the letter. But I think LCT ship entrepreneurs already understand the contents of the letter that has been issued,” clearly these. What will happen to the LCT ship if it does not operate again? Novi explained, the existing LCT ships will be parked at the shipyard provided by the company.
However, if the company does not have a shipyard, LCT ships will automatically be parked temporarily at Ketapang Harbor. "There are some companies that modify LCT to become KMP, However, currently we are still in the process of submitting ship drawings to sea and land transportation authorities,Novi said.
So far, There is still one new KMP type ship company that has registered with Gapasdap to be able to join in serving the Ketapang Gilimanuk crossing route. "There is still one new company that has registered, namely PT Mitra Bahari, but the ship is still in the adjustment stage to the dock,” concluded Novi.
Just know, regarding the ban on LCT ships, this will be carried out from the date 9 May 2015. However, due to the mass strike of dozens of LCTs, hundreds of trucks were waiting in long queues, Finally, the Ministry of Transportation gave four months additional time from the previous decision for LCTs which were not allowed to operate.
”Start date 9 August 2015, LCT may not carry passengers or vehicles," stressed the Director General of Communications, Djoko Sasono, A month ago. (radar)
