COLOMBO : On 20-22 April 2023, the Indonesia Sailing Ship “KRI Bima Suci-945” also berthed in Colombo Harbour before continuing her goodwill voyage to Europe. The Ship that belongs to the Indonesian Navy was also known as a training ship for Indonesia Naval Academy cadets.
The Indonesian Ship “KRI Bima Suci-945” is taking shipping routes to countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe for 214 days and participate in international events, including the ASEAN Cadet Sail, L’Armada in France, Tall Ships Race in the Netherlands, and Hanse Sail in Germany.
The technical design of this high-mast sailing ship has a length of 111.20 meters, a width of 13.65 meters, a draft depth of 5.95 meters, and a maximum mast height of 49 meters from the upper deck surface. The three-masted Barque-class Ship has 26 sails with a total sail area of 3,352 square meters. The Ship was launched on 18 September 2017 by Freire Shipyard, Vigo, Spain.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya at the Reception Onboard of the KRI Bima Suci, on 21 April 2023 as Chief Guest.At the reception held at the Indonesian Sailing Ship, State Minister Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya attended as Chief Guest and was also attended by the Chief of the Sri Lanka Defense Staff, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Government Officials, Diplomatic Corps, the Indonesian Defense Attache, Commodore Didik Kurniawan, and business community. Ambassador Dewi and the Commanding Officer of the Ship at the reception, Commander M. Sati Lubis as the host.
H.E. Dewi Gustina Tobing with State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya, Chief of the Sri Lanka Defense Staff, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Indonesian Defence Attache, Commodore Didik Kurniawan, The Ship Commanding Officer, Commander M. Sati Lubis at the Reception On Board of the KRI Bima Suci
on 21 April 2023.
The two Indonesian ships’ acceptance were the manifestations of the close friendship between Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The close cooperation between Indonesia and Sri Lanka for a long time would be further strengthened through many areas of cooperation, including people-to-people connectivity and the military sector.
