Free Weekend Getaway: Pelni's Zero-Cost Ship Opens Access to Kupang's Marine Paradise

Good news for Kupang residents. PT Pelni (Persero) Kupang Branch operates the rede ship KM Gandha Nusantara 10 for free every Saturday morning for people wanting to visit Kera Island and Sulamu, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Head of Pelni Kupang Branch, Selamat Yanuardi, stated that the rede ship KM Gandha Nusantara 10 has been operating in the Kupang area since July 2024.

“This ship's presence simultaneously addresses public needs for safe, comfortable, and free sea transportation,” he told reporters in Kupang, Friday, October 10, 2025.

The ship departs from Nunbaun Sabu Community Port at 07.00 Central Indonesia Time (WITA) and returns from Sulamu at 14.00 WITA. 

This schedule allows people to enjoy a full day exploring the island's beauty.

This service quickly became a resident favorite, especially as a weekend holiday alternative. No tickets needed, no travel agency required—just arrive on time and board.

Selamat explained that this program isn't merely tourism. 

“The government assigned Pelni to operate rede ships to provide affordable, even free, transportation access to boost economic activities and tourism in small islands,” he clarified. 

KM Gandha Nusantara 10 is a cargo-passenger ship with a capacity for 56 passengers and two vehicles. 

In regular operations, rede ships function as feeders for large Pelni passenger vessels unable to dock at small ports due to infrastructure limitations.

But in Kupang, its role differs. This ship focuses on serving short inter-island routes with high potential as marine tourism destinations. Kera Island, for example, is known for its clean white sand and authentic traditional fishing community life.

“Free—no tickets to pay. People just need to come to the port according to the departure schedule. But we always remind passengers to follow safety instructions from the crew,” said Selamat.

Besides bringing joy to tourists, this service also creates new economic opportunities for local residents. 

Seafood sales, culinary businesses, and tourism services are beginning to flourish around Kera Island and Sulamu.

The rede ship program is part of Pelni's commitment as a state-owned enterprise to expand sea transport connectivity in 3TP areas (frontier, outermost, underdeveloped, and border regions).

To date, Pelni operates 25 passenger ships serving 511 routes and calling at 74 ports across Indonesia. 

Additionally, Pelni operates 30 pioneer ship routes calling at 230 ports totaling 522 routes, 18 rede ships, eight sea toll routes, and one livestock ship route. (Antara)