Senegal to Buy Tanker and Cargo Ship from PT PAL Indonesia

INDUSTRY.co.id -Jakarta - President Director of PT. PAL Indonesia, Budiman Saleh, confirmed that Senegal will buy a tanker and cargo weighing 18,500 tons.

In addition, Budi also confirmed that Senegal is also interested in purchasing two 60 meter patrol boats to oversee 700 km of coastal areas.

Minister for Development of the Senegal National Railway Network, Abdou Ndene Sall, who represents the Government of Senegal during his visit to PT. PAL and Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali last week, said that Senegal will buy some other ships from PT. PAL.

Some vessels to be purchased from PT.PAL include 50 passenger VIP vessels for the President; 250 passenger ferries for transportation to Goree Island; and fast ferry capacity 500 and 2000 passengers for transportation to Ziguinchor Province and surrounding area with economy class, business class and first class specifications.

He added that currently the vessel used to transport passengers from Dakar to Ziguinchor is a ship from South Korea.

"We hope that Indonesia can immediately realize this cooperation to meet the needs of sea transportation in Senegal because between Indonesia and Senegal has been a historical bond in this field." he said.

Ambassador Dakar, Mansyur Pangeran, said that the process of purchasing this ship has been started since 2017 and the handling agency Conseil d'Administration du Conseil Sénégalais des Chargeurs (COSEC) has already visited PT. PAL.

Ambassador Mansyur added that the need for vessels in Senegal is enormous. He said that Indonesia and Senegal had a historical bond when the Senegalese "le Joola" with Dakar - Ziguinchor route sank and was replaced by a ferry Wilis hired from Indonesia (Pelni) complete with the captain of the ship and its crew.

"This historical tie proves a high commitment from the Government of Indonesia to foster cooperation with Senegal," said Ambassador Mansyur.

Budiman welcomes Senegal's interest, and his company will submit a proposal with specifications to get an official response from Senegal. Budiman also offered a tug boat and requested that Minister Ndene Sall be able to convey to related parties in Senegal.