ASDP: Executive Ferry Services at Merak Port Return to Normal
JAKARTA — PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) says services at the Executive (Express) 1 berth at Merak Port returned to normal in the early hours of Wednesday (21 October 2026), after being disrupted by a fire aboard KMP Batumandi.
“Services were restored gradually, while continuing to prioritise safety and the operational readiness of vessels,” ASDP President Director Heru Widodo said in Jakarta on Thursday (22 October 2026).
He thanked all those who responded swiftly to the incident, from fishing boats and private vessel operators to the agencies involved in the rescue and evacuation.
“We thank everyone who acted quickly to help rescue and evacuate passengers from KMP Batumandi,” he said.
He said support from fishing boats and private vessel operators, together with coordination among the relevant agencies, played an important role in handling the incident. “This collaboration demonstrates the importance of working together to ensure the safety of service users,” Heru said.
The first vessel at Express 1 resumed operations according to the standard timetable, with a scheduled departure at 2.25am WIB and an actual departure at 3.38am. The previous night, services had been operated with two vessels as part of post-incident adjustments.
For Wednesday afternoon (21 October), ASDP had prepared an operating plan involving four vessels to help restore service capacity and ensure smooth ferry traffic.
Alongside the operational recovery, the company said the needs of affected passengers remained a priority. Assistance was provided on an ongoing basis in coordination with field staff and healthcare facilities, including help with passengers’ basic needs during the response.
On the night of the incident, ASDP also arranged meals for affected service users. Several passengers received medical treatment at KS Hospital and Merak Community Health Centre.
According to the latest update, three passengers remain under treatment at KS Hospital, while several others have been discharged. ASDP is continuing to coordinate with healthcare facilities to monitor passengers’ condition and ensure they receive the necessary medical care.
ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale said the restoration of services took account of conditions on the ground and the readiness of vessels and supporting facilities. Changes to vessel operations were being made gradually so services could return to optimal levels without compromising safety procedures.
Windy said the company’s focus was to restore ferry services while ensuring affected passengers received appropriate assistance. “We continue to coordinate with all relevant parties to monitor operating conditions and ensure every stage of the recovery proceeds carefully,” she said.
Describing itself as a link in the national transport network, ASDP said safety and security remained its top priorities in every ferry service. The company pledged to ensure the recovery and follow-up after the incident were carried out in a measured manner, in accordance with procedures and with passenger safety at the forefront.