ASDP Resumes Pioneer Ferry Services in NTT Today

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) has announced it is ready to resume operating pioneer ferry services in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province starting Monday, 20 July 2026, in a bid to maintain connectivity for communities in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas. President Director of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Heru Widodo affirmed the company’s readiness to recommence the pioneer crossing services in line with the government’s directive, ensuring fleet readiness, human resources, and operational support. “ASDP is ready to resume operating pioneer ferry services in accordance with the government’s direction. For communities in archipelagic regions, particularly 3T areas, this service is the main link for social and economic activities,” Heru said in an official statement quoted in Jakarta on Monday, 20 July 2026. This move follows the government’s instruction to the NTT Class II Land Transportation Management Centre (BPTD) to restart the services. Heru stressed that the pioneer ferry service functions not only as a mode of transportation but also as a lifeline connecting communities and facilitating the distribution of essential goods between island regions. ASDP Kupang Branch General Manager Ardhani Friandy explained that the previous operation of pioneer ferry transport on several NTT routes had been temporarily suspended since 1 July 2026, based on notification from the NTT Class II BPTD as the regulator. “However, we have maintained intensive coordination with the Ministry of Transportation, the NTT Class II BPTD, and local governments to ensure operational readiness should the service be reassigned,” he stated. The services set to resume include a number of pioneer crossing routes within the working areas of ASDP’s Kupang and Sape branches. In the Kupang Branch, KMP Ile Mandiri will serve the Larantuka-Solor, Solor-Lewoleba, Adonara (Deri)-Baranusa, Baranusa-Bakalang, and Bakalang-Kalabahi routes. KMP Uma Kalada will also return to serving the Raijua-Sabu and Waingapu-Raijua routes. Furthermore, KMP Ile Ape will operate the Kewapante-Palue, Palue-Marapokot, Kewapante-Pemana, and Kewapante-Pulau Besar routes. Meanwhile, KMP Namparnos will serve the Kalabahi-Pulau Pura, Pulau Pura-Teluk Gurita, and Teluk Gurita-Maritaing routes. For the Sape Branch working area, KMP Komodo will resume service on the Labuan Bajo-Pulau Rinca route, while KMP Cucut will operate the Labuan Bajo-Waingapu route. Ardhani stated that the company has ensured all operational aspects, from the fleet and crew to port service support, have been prepared in accordance with regulatory requirements so that the resumption of operations can proceed safely, orderly, and reliably.