ASDP's efforts to maintain inter-island logistics pulse in Maluku

In Maluku, maintaining connectivity is not merely about connecting points on a map, but ensuring that life on every island has a way to interact.

At midnight in front of the Waipirit Pier gate in West Seram, dozens of colourful trucks loaded with marine and plantation products are lined up neatly. Behind dusty windows, drivers appear to be fast asleep. Not far from there, motorcyclists wrapped in thick jackets also slumber on the long benches of the departure waiting room for the ferry heading to Hunimua Port, Ambon.

This scene is a daily occurrence for every citizen who must cross, for every vehicle that must move, and for every essential good that must reach its destination island. Prospective passengers and vehicles often wait for hours. Some arrive intentionally in the early hours of the morning to catch the first voyage at 05:00 WIT, while others are forced to stay since the previous night after missing the last ship at 21:00 WIT.

Such is the pulse of maritime activity in Maluku. Every voyage is not just a journey across a strait, but the breath for the sustainability of life on every island. Ferry ships are the economic lifeline; the stability of basic commodity prices depends heavily on them, and the wheels of the economy could instantly grind to a halt if voyages cease.

Recognising the vitality of this route, PT Angkutan Sungai, Danau, dan Penyeberangan (ASDP) Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Ambon Branch has officially implemented 24-hour services on the Hunimua-Waipirit route every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, starting from June 2026. This non-stop service was previously trialled during the Eid al-Fitr period in March 2026, and continued during the long holidays in May and Eid al-Adha.

The high level of enthusiasm and mobility among residents has prompted ASDP to expand its services. Through collaboration with the Department of Transportation, BPTD Maluku, and PT Panca Karya, this scheme was introduced so that the travel of residents from Seram Island to Ambon City is no longer limited by crossing schedules.

Under this 24-hour service, special ships operate from 23:30 WIT to 04:00 WIT. Following this, operations are immediately continued by regular ships, which begin the loading process at 05:00 WIT.

This new policy opens up travel opportunities into the night and early morning, providing greater flexibility for the movement of people, vehicles, and the distribution of logistics between Ambon and Seram.