Locals of Belu Gyun Island have voiced concern over the daily transportation of automobiles using two attached motorboats between the seaport at Ramanya Bridge (Moulmein) and Kawmupoon (Belu Gyun Island).
The current fee for transporting an ambulance is 140,000 Kyat and 120,000 Kyat to transport a local farm tractors [with trailers].
“Ferrying by barge [boat] is expensive but safe. Motorboats are just risky. It is necessary to be safe when transporting on water. It is way too dangerous to embark on the motorboats not to mention frightening too. I do not like this method,” said Daw Myat Noe Thu, a local of Belu Gyun [Island].
The price of transporting vehicles by a State-run barge boat from Moulmein to Kalew seaport is about 800,000 Kyat. However, the barge will only depart when there are five vehicles on board. The motorboat transporting fee from Moulmein to Kawmupoon seaport is about 40,000 Kyat less than transportation via government boats. Nevertheless, weather conditions can make the trip perilous for motorboats.
“We do not transport if there are big currents or if the sea tide is falling. If the water level is rising the bank becomes slippery and a car can lose control driving up it,” said Nai Lin Htet, a motorboat driver.
Nai Lin Htet added that the transporting fee is still expensive as there is also a seaport fee. Furthermore, the boat drivers are held responsible if there is an accident whilst transporting.
“I contacted the municipal committee recently regarding this matter. The locals also requested to cooperate to solve this problem. Sometimes, the boat is overloaded. At times, there are drunk passengers traveling on boats in the evening. I informed the municipal to address it,” said Dr. Aung Naing Oo, deputy speaker of Mon State Hluttaw.
The deputy speaker continued that some locals and boat drivers have avoided informing the seaport authority. Instead, they transported vehicles as an agreement between themselves.
In 2013, the port’s authority and the Mon state government granted permission for the transportation of vehicles using two attached motorboats from Moulmein to Belu Gyun [island], according to locals on the island.
