Pelni Ambon starts aid deliveries for NTT earthquake victims
Pelni Ambon has launched a humanitarian aid service for earthquake-hit communities in East Nusa Tenggara using its regional sea transport network, the branch head said.
Source: ANTARA News · August 22, 2026 at 2:48 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 22 AUGUST 2026 —
Pelni Ambon has launched a humanitarian aid service for earthquake-hit communities in East Nusa Tenggara using its regional sea transport network, the branch head said.
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Robbie Ahmansyah, Pelabuhan Nusantara Indonesia (Pelni) Ambon branch manager, said the shipping company’s vessels would speed distribution to the archipelago hardest hit by the disaster. “We fully support the acceleration of humanitarian aid to affected communities in NTT,” he told ANTARA on Saturday. “As a national carrier, we have a duty to keep sea connectivity operating at full capacity during emergencies.”
Aid collected in Ambon can be handed to Pelni’s local offices for onward shipment, he said, noting that sea routes are critical because NTT’s thousands of islands need reliable inter-island links. Robbie added the company will coordinate with port authorities, Pelindo and other stakeholders to ensure safe, orderly transport and delivery.
The first consignment left Tanjung Perak port in Surabaya on Aug 16 aboard KM Tidar, reaching Maumere on Aug 20 with roughly 200 boxes of rice, cooking oil, baby diapers, biscuits and other essentials. The vessel also carried additional aid from other donors, swelling the total to several hundred boxes. Robbie said regular passenger sailings let aid move without waiting for special relief routes, adapting to published schedules and port calls.
Pelni has earmarked five vessels for NTT runs—KM Bukit Siguntang, KM Lambelu, KM Tilongkabila, KM Wilis and KM Awu—with further shipments timed to existing timetables. He said port stakeholders including the Harbour Master and Port Authority (KSOP) and Pelindo are being briefed to smooth clearance and delivery. The effort underscores Pelni’s role in leveraging maritime connectivity to reach disaster-hit archipelagos where transport links are easily disrupted.