PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Persero) or Pelni has stated that\nthe planned merger involving itself, PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) or\nPelindo, and PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) remains in the study\nphase and is awaiting further coordination and direction.<\/p>\n
Speaking in Makassar, Nadya Nathasya, Pelni\u2019s Corporate\nCommunications Manager, explained that progress on the merger remained\nlimited. \u201cCurrently, developments regarding the merger action remain the\nsame as our previous statement\u2014still in the study phase and awaiting\nfurther direction,\u201d she told journalists when met in Bau-Bau on Thursday\n(26 February).<\/p>\n
Pelni also confirmed it has yet to receive further direction\nregarding the merger of these maritime transport state-owned\nenterprises, either from the Government or the Investment Management\nAgency Daya Anagata Nusantara (BPI Danantara). For context, the\nState-Owned Enterprise Regulatory Body (BP BUMN) previously announced\nthat the merger or consolidation of these state-owned enterprises would\ndefinitely continue in 2026.<\/p>\n
As reported on Kompas.co.id, BP BUMN Deputy Head Aminuddin Ma\u2019ruf\nstated that the consolidation of these three maritime transport\nstate-owned enterprises\u2014Pelni, Pelindo, and ASDP\u2014only requires\nexecution.<\/p>\n
Should the consolidation of these three maritime transport\nstate-owned enterprises proceed, proposals suggest that Pelindo would\nbecome the parent company or holding of all three. The Government also\nhopes that the consolidation decision will strengthen synergies between\nstate-owned enterprises and improve the competitiveness of Indonesia\u2019s\nmaritime transport sector.<\/p>\n
Passenger Handling Dynamics at Bau-Bau and Makassar<\/p>\n
Separately, at Pelni\u2019s Bau-Bau branch office, Djasman, Head of Pelni\nBau-Bau, explained that maritime transport plays a vital role for\ncommunities in Eastern Indonesia, particularly the city of Bau-Bau.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe characteristic of communities who migrate to various areas in\nEastern Indonesia creates very high demand for passenger ships,\nespecially during Lebaran,\u201d he told journalists at his office in\nBau-Bau, Buton Island, on Thursday (26 February).<\/p>\n
He continued, the people of Bau-Bau and surrounding areas are\nscattered across Indonesian border regions such as Papua New Guinea,\nAustralia, and the Philippines. Additionally, because migration\ndistances are considerable, passenger movements during the mudik\n(exodus) and arus balik (return) periods in Bau-Bau have different\ncharacteristics compared to other regions, particularly on Java\nIsland.<\/p>\n
Whilst in Java the return period typically lasts around one to two\nweeks after Lebaran, in Bau-Bau the return period can last up to two\nmonths. This is caused by the tradition of Pesta Kampung (village\ncelebrations) in various areas, with timing that differs in each village\nin Bau-Bau.<\/p>\n
Djasman also explained that to address the surge in passenger\narrivals during the 2026 Lebaran period, Pelni Bau-Bau has prepared 11\nships operating regularly. The branch has also added 2 support\nvessels\u2014KM Gunung Dempo and KM Tidar\u2014to anticipate surges and ease\ncongestion of arriving and returning passengers.<\/p>\n
The branch projects that during the period from 15 days before to 15\ndays after Lebaran 2026, approximately 26,000 passengers are estimated\nto depart from Bau-Bau. Meanwhile, the number of arriving passengers is\nestimated to reach approximately 35,000.<\/p>\n
He estimated that the increase in ship passengers arriving in Bau-Bau\nis approximately 2% compared to the previous year, particularly during\nthe arrival period. The extended holiday break provided by the\ngovernment has also encouraged people to leave earlier and for longer\ndurations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis difference occurs because Bau-Bau serves as one of the\nimportant transit hubs for surrounding areas such as Wakatobi, Raha,\nKendari, and even passengers bound for Papua who must stop in Bau-Bau\nfirst,\u201d explained Djasman.<\/p>\n
Regarding security and supervision, Djasman also stated that Pelni\u2019s\npassenger ferry terminal, managed by the Port Authority and Harbour\nMaster\u2019s Office (KSOP), has been renovated and is considered more\nrepresentative.<\/p>\n
Access is now restricted through three main gates that are strictly\nguarded by KSOP officers, police, Indonesian Navy, and internal security\npersonnel. This effort is undertaken to prevent ticketless passengers\nfrom boarding ships. Djasman believes that strict supervision actually\nmakes the public more orderly and reluctant to attempt boarding without\ntickets.<\/p>\n
Regarding the difference in port management between Pelindo and KSOP,\nhe believed there was no significant difference in principle.<\/p>\n
\u201cService quality depends heavily on management and coordination\nbetween field officers\u2014what matters is professionalism in carrying out\nduties, not merely who the manager is,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
He also highlighted the unavailability of X-Ray facilities at Bau-Bau\nPort Terminal. Such facilities should be provided by KSOP or Pelindo as\nthe port manager.<\/p>\n
However, Djasman acknowledged that Bau-Bau is not a high-risk\nnarcotics trafficking route like several other ports in Kalimantan, so\nthis shortfall can be addressed. Nevertheless, coordination with\nsecurity personnel continues to anticipate existing risks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appeal to the public to purchase tickets through official\nchannels such as the Pelni Mobile application, official counters, or\nother official agents. We also urge passengers to maintain cleanliness\nand order whilst aboard ship for mutual comfort,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Darman, Head of Pelni Makassar, indicated that as one of\nthe busiest branches in Indonesia and serving as the main gateway to\nEastern Indonesia, Pelni Makassar faces more intense surges of\npassengers and goods. Darman stated that several actions to be\nundertaken going forward include vessel improvements.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/developments-in-pelni-merger-and-passenger-handling-dynamics-in-eastern-indonesia-1772241002", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }