ASDP opens 2 new ferry routes in SE. Sulawesi

The Luwuk, Central Sulawesi, branch of Indonesia ferry operator PT ASDP has announced plans to open a new ferry service between Luwuk and Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.

The company also plans to open a new service between Baturube and Kolonodale, a journey it expects will take between 30 and 45 minutes.

"We have obtained approval to open the two new ferry routes in 2012," ASDP Luwuk supervisor Muhammad Nurdin said Saturday as quoted by kompas.com.

Nurdin added that there was a high demand for the two new services, which he said would be used to transport cars, motorcycles and trucks carrying marine farm produce.

"A team had already conducted a feasibility study for the two ferry routes and it concluded that there was a [demand]," he said.

A ship weighing 500 GRT with a capacity for 200 passengers and 20 vehicles will be made available for the Luwuk-Kendari route. The Luwuk-Kendari route is currently being served by the KM. Tolongkabila by ferry operator PT Pelni.

ADSP plans to use the KMP Cakalang II for the new Baturube-Kolonodale service, a ferry currently operating between Luwuk (the capital of Banggai regency) to Bonitan, Banggai Island, Taliabu and Sanana (Sula regency, North Maluku).

Nurdin said the two new routes would speed up the marketing of farm and marine produce, and assist in the transportation of passengers.