Ketapang Port Closed Due To Strong Wind and Wave

Wednesday, 18 March, 2009 | 17:18 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Port officials at Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, have closed the port as strong wind and high wave disrupted two vessels from Bali on docking at the port.

The port stopped its operation at 13:50 as winds gust up to 20 kilometers per hour and waves raise between 0.2 and 2 meters. Vehicles inside the two boats from Bali reportedly bumped each other as the wave and winds swung the boats in the Bali strait.

Agus Hidayat spokesman for the Sea, Coast, and Port Guard said "we have not decided when the port will be opened." There were 12 ferry boats and six Landing Craft Marines-type cargo vessels at the port according to officials. Dozens of trucks waiting to be transported to Bali have create long queue at the port.

IKA NINGTYAS