Karimun - The transportation authority at Tanjungbalai Karimun Port, Riau Islands has prepared 33 sea transportation ships to serve residents for the 2020 Christmas and 2021 new year holidays.

The 33 sea transportation ships will serve domestic inter-island routes with a total passenger capacity of 7,422 passengers.

In addition, there is also 1 Pelni ship and 1 ASDP ship which are also prepared to serve transportation for Christmas and New Year.

"We have prepared 33 ships this year with a transport capacity of 7,422 people, plus Pelni and ASDP ships," said the Head of KSOP (Transportation Authority) Class I Tanjungbalai Karimun, Capt. Barlet Silalahi, Friday (18/12/2020) after the upcoming holiday preparation meeting.

KSOP also prepares a backup ship in case of a surge in passengers during the upcoming holiday.

"To anticipate a surge in passengers, we have coordinated with INSA to prepare a backup ship. So we are ready as a whole," he said.

The destination shipping routes are Sekupang, Harbour Bay, Long Strait, Buton, Dumai, Moro, Tanjungpinang, Tanjungbatu Kundur, Penyalai and Tembilahan.

Barlet stated, for the safety side of shipping, his party has also appealed to sea transportation service providers to always be vigilant and not to force passengers to carry passengers when the weather is bad.

And also appealed to adhere to health protocols by regulating seat spacing.

"In addition, during this pandemic, we also urge sea transportation service providers to regulate the distance of the seats, while at our ports there is a team of groups who will be on standby to control so that there is no mass buildup," he said.