841 Ships Prepared by Government to Ensure Smooth Sea Transport During Lebaran Mudik Period 2026

Jakarta – The Ministry of Transport is preparing 841 ships to support smooth sea transport during the Lebaran 2026 period. The ships have a capacity of around 3.2 million passengers on various national routes.

Minister of Transport Dudy Purwagandhi said that the preparation of hundreds of ships is an effort by the government to ensure fleet readiness and port services to support smooth journeys for the public during the mudik and balik Lebaran period of 1447 Hijriah.

‘TSpecifically for Lebaran sea transport operations, the government has prepared 841 ships with a total capacity of around 3.2 million passengers,’ he said in a statement in Jakarta, on Thursday, 5 March 2026.

He noted that sea transport plays a strategic role, especially in serving archipelagic regions, remote areas, outermost and border areas. The Ministry of Transport has prepared concrete steps to guarantee adequate services. The vessel seaworthiness testing process has been conducted, covering passenger ships, ferries, fast boats, traditional vessels, and tourist ships.

‘We must ensure that sea transport services during Lebaran are safe, secure, comfortable, orderly, and smooth,’ the Minister said.

Furthermore, as a form of public support and economic stimulus, the government is again presenting a free-ticket programme, with a quota of more than 66,000 passengers.

Registration opens from 6 March 2026, with departure periods between 11 March and 6 April 2026. The government also provides a 30 percent tariff discount for all Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes of PT Pelni in economy class, covering more than 445,000 tickets. ‘This step is expected to ease the burden on the public while supporting a more even distribution of the mudik flow,’ the Minister said.

He emphasised that maritime safety must be the top priority in organising Lebaran Sea Transport 2026, in line with the high mobility of people during the homecoming and return period this year. ‘For the umpteenth time I stress, there is no compromise on safety. Seafaring safety is the top priority and cannot be negotiated,’ he asserted.

Furthermore, the minister stressed that with the projected increase in the number of passengers this year, all parties must take comprehensive anticipatory steps. These include ensuring vessel seaworthiness and maritime safety through thorough inspections of the fleet, safety equipment, and the crew’s competence.