Kotabaru, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - Kotabaru regency plans to build sea toll by setting up a ferry crossing Sigam, PulauLaut - Central Kelumpang.
"The opening of Sigam - Central Kelumpang ferry is a local government's cooperation with the shipping company PT Pelayaran Benua Raya Khatulistiwa," said Regent H Sayed Jafar in Kotabaru, Tuesday.
Regent hoped, the operation of ferry later able to expedite the distribution of passengers and logistics in Pulaulaut and Geronggang, Tanjung Batu, Central Kelumpang, Pudi- North Kelumpang and surrounding areas.
In addition it will be the opening of isolated areas in eastern Kalimantan and mainland Pulaulaut, as well as growing and development of small micro and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The same thing has done by the government of Burhanuddin Sayed Jafar for crossing Pulau Laut - Sebuku.
Sayed Jafar realized, the early stages of opening ferry service will result in losses for the company, because the company's revenue will not be able to cover operational costs of the ferry.
"As happened on Pulau Laut - Sebuku at the initial stage the company had to subsidize up to Rp42 million per month, as earnings from passenger fares have not been able to cover operational costs," he explained.
But such subsidies is getting down from time to time, and is now reduced to become Rp25 million per month.
He hoped that the operation of ferry crossings between the mainland of Kalimantan to Kotabaru Pulau Laut later to be financed by revenues generated from passenger ticket sales.
Earlier, Director of PT Pelayaran Benua Raya Khatulistiwa Makmur Andi H Sayed Al Idrus said, the operation of KMF Stagen, which serves shipping from Pulau Laut to Sebuku Island and otherwise it could accelerate the distribution of development in Kotabaru.
Sebuku people on the island have been very envision for a ferry could serve shipping PulauLaut-Sebuku Island. And coincides with the Kotabaru Anniversary a ferry to cross Pulau Laut - Sebuku Island begins.
With the operation of ferry crossings Sebuku-Pulau Laut is also expected to encourage economic growth in the two islands.
KMF Stagen built in 2005 has a passenger capacity of about 300 people, with a four-wheeled passenger vehicle about 24 units and hundreds of two-wheeled vehicles.
Distance between Pulau Laut Island with Sebuku Island about 8 miles the KMF Stagen which has a capacity of about 4 knots speed of 8 knots took about two hours cruise.
