DILI, 03 august 2023 (TATOLI)—Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Timor-Leste Port Authority (APORTIL), Feliciano da Costa Correia said APORTIL had prepared funds worth $800,000 for the process of repairing two ships Berlian Ramelau and Berlin Nakroma in Surabaya, Indonesia.
“The funds for repairs of the two ships amounted to $800,000. We will arrange for Ramelau to be sent first to Surabaya and then Nakroma,” Feliciano da Costa Correia explained to Tatoli this Thursday.
He explained Berlin Ramelu operates from Dili and Oecusse. However, currently, it is temporarily suspended because the shipping certificate has passed the deadline according to the recommendations from the flag state inspection results or the National Directorate of Sea Transportation (NDST) in February 2023 to APORTIL.
The recommendation stated that Berlin Ramelau should carry out repairs/checks to renew shipping certificates to be able to resume operations.
“Currently the team is evaluating documents according to the Docking Repair list to renew the Berlin Ramelau certificate which is already in the procurement process, we have identified the winning company, and shortly will be sent to Surabaya,” he said
The Berlin Ramelau ship is a ship manufactured in China and co-financed by the German Government, through the German Development Bank (KfW), whose contribution was 7.8 million Euros and Timor-Leste 7.1 million Euros, arrived at Dili Port on 10 December, 2021.
The Berlin Ramelau is 16 meters wide, 67.3 meters long, deck 4.8 meters high, has a capacity of up to 300 to 350 passengers, can accommodate 15 cars, and cargo vehicles, and will reach a maximum speed of ten to 12 knots.
Timor-Leste also has the Berlin Nakroma, which is a passenger and cargo ferry owned and operated by the Government of Timor-Leste since 2007. This ferry is a gift from the Federal Republic of Germany to Timor Leste which connects Dili, the capital of Timor Leste, Oecusse, and Atauro Island.
The donated ferry was built in Surabaya, Indonesia, and is 47.25 m (155.0 ft) long and 12 m (39 ft) wide. It can carry up to 300 passengers (20 in first class, 149 in the front of second class, and 131 in second class at the back), and a cargo weight of up to 110 tonnes.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
