Surabaya - PT PAL Indonesia is accelerating the repair of two PT PELNI passenger ships, namely KM Tatamailau and KM Kelimutu, so that they have now been completed and are ready to operate to transport travelers for Eid 2025.
"Two of PT PELNI's flagship passenger ships have completed maintenance and repairs at PT PAL Indonesia," said General Manager of PT PAL Indonesia's Maintenance and Repair Division, Abdul Honi, in Surabaya, Friday.
KM Tatamailau, which serves the Balikpapan-Pantoloan-Bitung-Tidore-Sorong route, underwent several repairs such as maintenance of the hull below the waterline as well as maintenance and repair of valves on the hull.
The ship also underwent repairs to the propeller, replating at several points on the hull, and the ship's deck, all of which took about a month.
Abdul said the problems in maintaining PELNI ships were quite complex and in the midst of a short deadline, so it required acceleration strategies and collaboration between divisions such as the General Engineering Division and the Merchant Ship Division.
"The acceleration of repairs is to ensure that PELNI ships are in optimal condition to face the high surge in passengers during the homecoming season," he also said.
Meanwhile, the repair maintenance of KM Kelimutu will take a long time, namely from February 10 to March 16, 2025 because a thorough inspection of the main engine, updating the navigation system, and improving passenger safety facilities must be carried out.