Cambodia & Diplomacy: Indonesian Bima Suci stops in Sihanoukville

An Indonesian naval training ship named Bima Suci of the Koarmada Republik Indonesia (KRI) docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) in Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk province on Friday for a four-day visit that ends today.

The ship is a tall ship with a total crew of 281

The Indonesian naval vessel - named after Bima Suci, a legendary Javanese hero who was a "symbol of strength, bravery and righteousness" - is currently under the command of Navy Lieutenant Colonel Hastaria Dwi Prakoso.

Admiral Mean Savoeun, deputy chief of staff at Ream Naval Base, was on hand to welcome the ship's arrival at the port on Friday, along with other Cambodian admirals and naval officials.

The Indonesian ship's official visit to the Kingdom aims to further promote diplomatic relations, friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the two countries' navies and governments.

The KRI Bima Suci - with a height of over 51 metres and a hull length of over 93 metres - left Surabaya, East Java, on a 90-day goodwill mission with an itinerary that includes stops in Russia and several other ports in East Asian countries.

The ship's departure ceremony was held at the Madura Pier of the Indonesian Navy's (TNI-AL) Second Fleet Command (Koarmada II) in Surabaya on Thursday, August 1. Prior to its stop in Cambodia, the KRI Bima Suci docked at Singapore's Changi Naval Base on Friday, August 9.

Following her visit to Sihanoukville, the ship will proceed to Hai Phong, Vietnam; Shanghai, China; Busan, South Korea; Vladivostok, Russia; Yokosuka, Japan; and Manila, Philippines.