This is the astonishing moment determined hawkers shimmed along ship ropes like marines as they boarded a vessel to sell their wares.

Footage shows the traders scrambling up a vessel's thick rope, which was securely anchored at Soekarno Hatta Harbor in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, on February 10.

Their movements were quick, almost acrobatic, as they effortlessly scaled the cords with remarkable skill.

Locals said that their merchandise had already been stored on the ship for their sales missions.

Head of the Makassar Soekarno Hatta Port Sector Police, Adjunct Police Commissioner Sukmawati, said: 'Several vendors tried to board a ship belonging to PT National Service Indonesia or Pelni. This company has regulations that prohibit vendors from boarding the ship.'

Pelindo Regional 4 Makassar Port Facility Security Officer Badaruddin Manaf confirmed that some traders had designated spaces on the ship, and unauthorised merchants are not permitted to sell.

Authorities later peacefully removed the vendors who had boarded the ship.