Press Release
PT PELNI (Persero)
No: 10.10/72/PR.KC/X/2025
Free Rede Ship Service Transports Tourists from Kupang to Kera Island Every Saturday Morning
Kupang, October 10, 2025 – PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia or PT PELNI (Persero) Kupang Branch invites the people of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, to take advantage of KM Gandha Nusantara 10 for recreational trips to Kera Island and Sulamu. The ship operates every Saturday morning from Nunbaun Sabu Public Port, Kupang.
Head of PELNI Kupang Branch, Selamat Yanuardi, announced that the rede vessel KM Gandha Nusantara 10 has been serving Kupang City since July 2024. Residents can board the rede ship — which has a capacity of 56 passengers and 2 vehicles — free of charge.
“The government has assigned PELNI to operate rede vessels to provide affordable — even free — transportation access to boost economic and tourism activities on small islands,” said Selamat in Kupang on Thursday (October 9).
KM Gandha Nusantara 10 is a cargo-passenger vessel type that typically functions as a feeder for PELNI’s main passenger ships that cannot dock due to limited port infrastructure. Specifically in Kupang, KM Gandha Nusantara 10 operates inter-island transport services on the Kupang – Kera Island – Sulamu (round-trip) route, departing every Saturday at 07:00 a.m. (Central Indonesia Time) and returning from Sulamu at 02:00 p.m.
“It’s completely free — no tickets are required. People can come directly to the port, and they may bring motorcycles or cars depending on passenger capacity. We always remind passengers to follow the safety instructions provided by the ship’s crew,” Selamat added.
About PELNI
PELNI, a State-Owned Enterprise engaged in maritime transportation services, currently operates 25 passenger vessels serving 511 sectors across 1,359 routes and calling at 74 ports.
In addition to passenger services, PELNI also operates 30 pioneer routes that provide accessibility and mobility for residents in frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped regions (3TP), with pioneer vessels calling at 230 ports across a total of 522 sectors. PELNI also operates 18 rede vessels. For logistics services, the company currently operates 8 sea toll routes and one special livestock vessel route.
For further information, please contact:
Ditto Pappilanda
Corporate Communication Manager
PT PELNI (Persero)
Tel. +62 21 6334342 ext. 1310
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