Nusa Dua (Antara Bali) - The Transportation Ministry is planning to provide roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry services between Bitung city, North Sulawesi province, and the Philippine cities of Davao and Santos, as part of the ASEAN Connectivity 2015 program.

"Eventually, probably in 2013, I think the ferry services could be provided, because the ships are ready here and there (the Philippines) as well," Transportation Minister E.E Mangindaan said on the sidelines of the 18th ASEAN Transportation Ministerial Meeting, held in Nusa Dua, Badung district, on Thursday.

He said the decision to offer Ro-Ro ferry services was taken jointly by Indonesia and the Philippines.

"To accelerate the implementation of the project, both countries should soon synchronize their respective transportation regulations, because cargo is transported not only by air and land, but also by sea", Mangindaan pointed out.

"We need to have similar arrangements with other ASEAN member countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand, as well," he continued.

Mangindaan expressed hope that Indonesia would successfully achieve the ASEAN Connectivity 2015 goals set at the Transportation Ministerial Meeting in Bali.

"The project, named ASEAN Ro-Ro Network and Short Sea Shipping, is one of the three main goals of the ASEAN Connectivity program, which must be achieved by 2015," he noted. (*/dwa/T007)

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Editor : Nyoman Budhiana


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