Bad Weather Halts Inter-Island Ferry Services in East Nusa Tenggara
Inter-island ferry services in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) remain paralysed by bad weather that has hit the region since 2 March 2026. By Sunday 8 March, only one crossing had resumed: the Kupang–Hansisi route, about five nautical miles from Kupang City. ‘For the long-haul routes, they are not yet operating; only Kupang–Hansisi is running,’ said Ramlan Iyang, Cargo/Operations Manager for PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Kupang Branch, to Media Indonesia in Kupang on Sunday 8 March.
Several other sailing routes remain temporarily closed, including Kupang–Rote, Kupang–Kalabahi, Kupang–Aimere, Maumere–Panama, Maumere–Palue, Kupang–Sabu, Kupang–Lewoleba, and Kupang–Larantuka. According to Ramlan, most of these routes cross the Sawu Sea, which is currently experiencing high waves that threaten ferry safety.
Meanwhile, BMKG Maritime Station Tenau Kupang forecasts wave heights in several waters around NTT could reach up to 2.9 metres between 8-14 March 2026. Areas prone to relatively high waves include the South Timor–Rote Waters, the South Sabu–Raijua Waters, and the North Kupang–Rote Waters. On 8-9 March, wave heights in the South Timor–Rote area are expected to reach 2.4 to 2.9 metres, while in the South Sabu–Raijua area they could reach 2.6 to 2.8 metres. BMKG forecaster Salsabila Nadhifvira Ardian of Tenau Kupang Maritime Station said wave conditions could worsen if convective cloud growth occurs. ‘The presence of broad and dark cumulonimbus (Cb) clouds can increase wind speed and raise wave heights,’ she said in a forecast issued in Kupang on Saturday 7 March. (H-2)
The Batam region, an archipelago with high maritime mobility, makes weather conditions a key factor to watch. These rapidly changing weather conditions are expected to be taken into account in planning activities, especially land, sea and air travel, and various outdoor activities.
BMKG warned of potential extreme weather in 23 districts in Central Java on Sunday 8 March. BMKG reported potential heavy rains due to the activity of two tropical cyclone disturbances.
Rapid changes in weather in Batam have prompted communities to increase vigilance, particularly for users of sea and air transport. BMKG released an early warning of extreme weather in the Riau region, predicted to last until 13:00 WIB on Friday 6 March. Aerial photographs showed several trucks stuck in traffic while heading to Merak Port at the Merak Toll Gate. BMKG identified the emergence of three tropical cyclone disturbances around Indonesian territory. The agency reminded fishermen to always heed the latest weather forecasts before going to sea and not to push ahead with activities if conditions are deemed risky. PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry Kupang Branch officially suspended temporary operations on several ferry routes in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).