PELNI prepares the ship to become a Covid-19 OTG Isolation Place

KM Umsini, which is currently temporarily suspended (portstay), will be used as an isolation location for a Covid-19 patients (OTG) until they healed

Jakarta, July 21, 2021 - PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia or PT PELNI (Persero) is preparing the Umsini Motor Ship as the first floating isolation place for Covid-19 patients in Makassar. This was done following up on the request of the Mayor of Makassar to use the PELNI ship as a city-scale floating isolation place considering the spike in confirmed active Covid-19 cases in Makassar City.

With the support of the Ministry of Transportation and collaboration with the Makassar City Government, KM Umsini, which is currently temporarily suspended (portstay) will be used as an isolation location for asymptomatic Covid-19 patients (OTG) to Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms.

President Director of PT PELNI Insan Purwarisya L. Tobing explained that PT PELNI is ready to assist the Government in suppressing the curve of the spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia. The increase in cases that occurred in the last few weeks has led to limited isolation rooms for Covid-19 patients in hospitals and other locations. "With the support and cooperation of various parties in preparing KM Umsini as a floating isolation location according to applicable health standards, the Company believes it can support the Makassar City Government in its efforts to optimally control the spread of Covid-19," he said.

As long as it is used as a floating isolation location, the ship will dock around Lae Lae Island. KM Umsini has a capacity for 804 patients and 60 health workers provided by the Makassar City Government. This amount is in accordance with the policy of 50% of the ship's capacity so that the health protocol on board is still implemented. The crew on board the ship will also be replaced (rolling) every two weeks.

During the isolation activities on board the PELNI ship, the Company will provide several public facilities such as beds, polyclinics, and jogging tracks. Access to the top deck will be provided so that patients can use it as an open area for sunbathing and exercising. "Through the available facilities, it is hoped that patients will feel comfortable during their self-isolation period on the ship so that they can accelerate the healing process and increase immunity in Covid-19 patients," added Insan.

KM Umsini has been in Makassar Port since Wednesday (14/7) and has now entered the preparation stage. The economic deck that will be used as a patient bed has also been installed with a bulkhead between the beds. "The Makassar City Government is currently still preparing the readiness of medical personnel and other supporting facilities to be loaded on board, including hepafilter devices," explained Insan.

KM Umsini is one of 26 passenger ships operated by PT PELNI and stops in Makassar on its shipping route. The ship with a capacity of 2000 pax has a regular route of Kijang - Tanjuk Priok - Surabaya - Makassar - Maumere - Larantuka - Lewoleba - Kupang (PP). During the Emergency PPKM period, KM Umsini was one of the ships that did portstay due to the closure of a number of areas.

"Before being used again to serve regular shipping, the Company ensures that a thorough cleaning and spraying of disinfectants will be carried out until the ship is declared ready to operate again," he said.

PELNI as a State-Owned Enterprise which is engaged in sea transportation to date has operated as many as 26 passenger ships and stopped at 76 ports and served 1,058 segments.

In addition to passenger transportation, PELNI also serves 45 pioneer ship routes which are a means of accessibility for population mobility in the 3TP area, where pioneer ships stop at 285 ports with 3,811 segments. PELNI also operates 16 Rede vessels. While in logistics business services, PELNI now operates 9 sea toll routes and 1 special route for livestock transportation.