ASDP: Ports in Eastern Indonesia Operate 24 Hours During Eid Season
Jakarta (ANTARA) - PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) has ensured that ports in eastern Indonesia operate 24 hours during the Eid transport period to maintain smooth societal mobility and optimal inter-island logistics distribution.
ASDP’s President Director, Heru Widodo, emphasised that the increased movement of passengers and vehicles in eastern Indonesia is being addressed with adaptive, integrated preparedness based on field needs, particularly during the 1447 Hijriah Eid transport for both outbound and return flows.
“The eastern region plays a strategic role in maintaining national connectivity, especially during Eid homecoming. We ensure not only adequate capacity but also responsive services aligned with on-ground dynamics,” Heru stated in a press release in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He outlined several service preparedness measures, including strengthened operations, enhanced services, and close coordination with all stakeholders.
Furthermore, various service improvement efforts by ASDP in the eastern branch have yielded tangible impacts. One key service is the implementation of 24-hour port operations during the Eid transport period.
“This has proven effective in improving passenger and vehicle flow, minimising queues, and providing travel time flexibility for the public,” he said.
According to him, this policy also contributes to maintaining logistics distribution and inter-regional economic activities at optimal levels during the long holiday.
The 24-hour operational pattern is applied to several strategic routes. On the Hunimua-Waipirit route, full services are provided on 17-18 March and during the return flow on 28-29 March 2026.
“This step is key to keeping crossing flows orderly, smooth, and controlled amid mobility surges,” Heru stated.
He mentioned data from the ASDP Ambon Branch showing that from H-10 to H+2 of Eid, more than 102,000 passengers and around 25,000 vehicles have been served on that route, supported by operations of KMP Terubuk and KMP Rokatenda.
These figures reflect high public trust and serve as an indicator of successful service optimisation, directly impacting societal mobility smoothness.
Similar optimisation is implemented on the Tampo-Torobulu route. With support from KMP Nuku, KMP Teluk Cendrawasih II, and KMP Pulau Rubiah, 24-hour services accommodate around 2,987 foot passengers and 8,075 vehicles from H-7 to H+2.
To maintain smoothness, operations of KMP Bahteramas II have been redirected from the pioneering Kamaru-Wanci route to the commercial Labuan-Amolengo route.
Through these measures, ASDP reaffirms its commitment to ensuring smooth, orderly, and comfortable ferry services in the eastern region.
He added that 24-hour operations are not merely a technical strategy but also represent the state’s presence in ensuring sustained connectivity, strengthening regional integration, and providing a more certain, safe, and humane travel experience for all service users.
General Manager of ASDP Baubau Branch, Sullivan Ramadhana Miraza, explained that this step is part of an anticipatory strategy to handle the return flow.
“We project a significant surge in the return flow. Therefore, KMP Bahteramas II will continue operating on the Labuan-Amolengo route until H+5 before returning to its original route,” Sullivan said.
Additionally, on the Bastiong-Rum route in Ternate, service frequency has been increased from three to four trips per day as a responsive measure to accommodate rising societal mobility during the homecoming period.
Furthermore, on the Bastiong-Sofifi route, service frequency has been increased by up to 60 percent compared to the previous period, with a total mobilisation during the homecoming period of 1,747 foot passengers and around 823 vehicles.