DILI, 20 december, 2021 (TATOLI)- Timor-Leste’s, Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak has officially launched Timor-Leste’s new Ferry “Berlin Ramelau” in Dili Port.
In the early speech of the PM Taur Matan Ruak at the launching ceremony, Taur extended his deepest appreciation to the German Government for supporting Timor-Leste to finalize the Ferry.
“ I thanked the government of Germany, with full commitment for the establishing and finalizing the Ferry “Berlin Ramelau which is officially launched in Dili Port today,” PM, Taur Matan Ruak said in his remarks, in Dili Port, 20 November, this Monday.
PM explained, Ferry Berlin Nakroma is the combination name, that reflects some part of both countries Germany and Timor-Leste, saying that Berlin reflects the name of the capital city of Germany and Ramelau is referring to the highest mountain in Timor-Leste.
At the same place, The GIZ’s Coordinator in Timor-Leste, Rainer Schellhaas said, Timor-Leste and Germany have been cooperating in the maritime sector for many years, thus Berlin Ramelau Ferry is a signed between Germany and Timor-Leste but it is of Global master peace.
“Germany and Timor-Leste co-finance for Ferry “Berlin Ramelau” was made in last 2017. The ferry is finally made in China,” He said.
Rainer Schellhaas said during the construction process, the Germany consultant Company (IMS north) worked closely with the APORTIL to ensure high quality along the process.
Therefore According to Rainer Schellhaas, the German Federation Government will continue to provide maintenance for ferry Berlin Nakroma at the same time provide training in the Maritime industry before starting the operation.
Minister of Transportation and Telecommunication, José Agostinho Da Silva said that Berlin Ramelau is Timor-Leste’s second ferry that will replace Nakroma to transport people from DILI to Oekusi and Atauro.
Mr. Da Silva added that the ferry will make the operation soon as the team has familiarized themselves with the system.
“The team is composed of 13 Timorese people and one Captain from Germany,” said Silva.
According to Silva, the Ferry can transport 303 passengers and 30 vehicles.
It is known that the ferry was funded by the Government of Germany and Timor-Leste with funds totaling six million Euro and the payment for ferry construction is 1.5 from Germany and 10.4 million euros from the Government of Timor-Leste for the procurement and construction of the ferry.
At the same time, Germany Government also provided technical support and engineering design during the construction process.
The agreement was signed on the last 5 of March 2013 and the ferry were constructed in China.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Neali B
