Bali Concord II

Bali Concord II
Ship name	Bali Concord II
Ship country	Indonesia
Ship owner	PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia
Ship operator	PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia
Ship builder	Sungdong Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries
Ship class	Ro-Ro Passenger Ferry
Ship length	120 m
Ship beam	20 m
Ship power	Diesel engines
Ship speed	18 kn
Ship capacity	~1,200 passengers

Bali Concord II

Bali Concord II was an Indonesian roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry that operated primarily in inter-island ferry services connecting ports in Bali, Lombok, and other islands in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Commissioned in the early 2000s, the vessel served routes that linked regional hubs such as Padangbai and Benoa Harbour while participating in domestic maritime initiatives overseen by institutions including PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia and maritime regulators like the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (Indonesia). The ship became notable in regional shipping networks and maritime safety discussions following several incidents that prompted reviews by agencies such as the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee.

Background and Development

Bali Concord II emerged during an expansion of inter-island ferry capacity promoted by actors including PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia, provincial governments of Bali and West Nusa Tenggara, and private operators in response to rising passenger traffic on routes serving Bali's tourism industry linked to attractions like Uluwatu Temple and Kuta Beach. Funding and procurement dialogues involved shipyards and financiers familiar from previous projects with names such as Sungdong Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries and discussions referenced precedents like the acquisition patterns of Pelni and regional operators. Strategic considerations mirrored national transport planning efforts associated with stakeholders such as the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and local port authorities at Benoa Harbour.

Design and Construction

Designed as a roll-on/roll-off passenger (Ro-Pax) ferry, the vessel incorporated vehicle decks compatible with domestic ferry standards influenced by designs used by firms like Shin Kurushima Dock and Damen Shipyards. Construction specifications reflected standards advocated by classification societies such as Bureau Veritas and practices common to ships built in South Korean yards including Sungdong Shipbuilding. The ship featured multiple passenger decks, vehicle ramps for roll-on/roll-off operations at ports like Padangbai, lifesaving appliances meeting guidance from the International Maritime Organization conventions, and propulsion systems supplied by suppliers similar to Wärtsilä or MAN Energy Solutions.

Operational History

During its service life, Bali Concord II operated scheduled services connecting Bali with neighboring islands, participating in seasonal surges tied to events such as the Nyepi festival and peak tourism months for destinations like Seminyak and Ubud. The vessel called at ports including Benoa Harbour, Padangbai, and smaller harbors in the Lesser Sunda Islands, working within ferry networks that included competitors and partners like ASDP Indonesia Ferry and private operators. The ship’s operations were periodically inspected by entities such as the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (Indonesia) and reported in maritime trade outlets alongside other regional ferries.

Incidents and Accidents

Bali Concord II was involved in several maritime incidents that attracted attention from the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee and local news outlets. Reports detailed events ranging from mechanical failures to navigational challenges in waters influenced by monsoon-driven currents near straits such as the Lombok Strait and channels around Nusa Penida. Investigations referenced conventions under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and operational oversight by authorities at ports like Benoa Harbour. These incidents prompted reviews and safety recommendations for operators including crew training enhancements and maintenance regimes aligned with practices championed by international organizations like the International Labour Organization for seafarer welfare.

Ownership and Registration

The vessel was registered in Indonesia under the flag administered by the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (Indonesia), with corporate ownership tied to shipping companies such as PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia or regional operators engaging in acquisitions akin to those undertaken by ASDP Indonesia Ferry. Registration and documentation followed national maritime law frameworks administered in Jakarta and port-state control inspections similar to those conducted under the oversight of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in regional contexts.

Technical Specifications

Bali Concord II’s configuration typified Ro-Pax ferries of its class: an overall length in the vicinity of 120 metres, beam approximately 20 metres, service speed near 16–18 knots, and diesel-electric or diesel-mechanical propulsion packages comparable to models from Wärtsilä or MAN. Passenger capacity was on the order of 1,000–1,500 passengers with space for dozens of vehicles on roll-on/roll-off decks. Safety equipment included lifeboats and life rafts meeting SOLAS standards, firefighting systems aligned with guidance from the International Maritime Organization, and navigation suites utilizing radar and electronic chart systems commonly supplied by manufacturers such as Furuno.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

The vessel figured in broader discussions about Indonesian maritime safety, inter-island connectivity, and tourism-related transport infrastructure, joining narratives alongside other notable Indonesian ships and initiatives spearheaded by entities like ASDP Indonesia Ferry and Pelni. Its operational record contributed to policy dialogues involving the Ministry of Transportation (Indonesia) and safety reforms influenced by findings from the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee. In regional memory, the ship appears in reporting alongside stories of maritime resilience and the archipelagic transport challenges faced across the Lesser Sunda Islands, influencing subsequent procurement and regulatory choices by public and private actors.

Category:Ferries of Indonesia Category:Ro-ro passenger ships Category:Ships built in South Korea