Sumenep, East Java, Indonesia – January 22, 2025: Extreme weather conditions have forced the Kalianget Class IV Port Authority and Shipping Office (KSOP) to indefinitely suspend ferry services carrying essential goods to the Masalembu Islands.
High waves and strong winds continue to batter the waters surrounding Sumenep, particularly in the Masalembu Island region. "The decision to suspend operations was made due to the adverse weather conditions," said Azwar Anas, Head of the Kalianget Class IV KSOP, in an interview on Wednesday.
A survey conducted on Wednesday morning revealed that seven ferries, typically used to transport essential supplies to Masalembu, were stranded at Gersik People's Port in Kalianget District. These vessels, laden with goods covered by large blue tarpaulins, have been idle for the past 12 days. Muniri, a ferry captain, explained that under normal circumstances, he and his colleagues could make one round trip to Masalembu each week.
The KSOP attributed the indefinite suspension of ferry services to a weather forecast issued by the Kalianget Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG). According to the BMKG, the waters around the Masalembu Islands experienced exceptionally high waves between January 18th and 21st.
Azwar Anas emphasized that the KSOP would continue to rely on the BMKG's weather updates to determine when it would be safe to resume ferry services to Masalembu. Additionally, the agency is maintaining regular communication with the Masalembu Class III Port Management Unit (UPP) to ensure that the destination port is also safe for vessel operations. "We want to avoid a situation where the ferry departs from a safe port only to encounter hazardous conditions at its destination," he added.
Source: Indonesian Shipping in Disarray as Extreme Weather Delays Essential Goods Delivery by Kompas.com