Batam Port Authority Records 41 Per Cent Surge in Passenger Traffic During Long Holiday
The Office of the Harbour Master and Port Authority (KSOP) for Batam, Riau Islands, recorded a 41 per cent surge in passenger movement during the long holiday period for Eid al-Adha and Vesak, spanning 28 May to 1 June 2026.
Speaking in Batam on Wednesday, the Head of KSOP Batam, M. Takwim Masuku, stated that the number of domestic and international passengers passing through Batam’s ports between 26 May and 1 June 2026 reached 255,406 people. This figure represents a significant increase compared to the previous week, from 18 to 24 May 2026, which recorded 149,693 passengers.
“There was an increase of approximately 41 per cent during this long holiday period. Passenger movement was quite high, particularly at international ports,” he said. He explained that the most significant surge occurred in the arrival and departure flows of international tourists from Singapore and Malaysia, who utilised the long holiday to visit Batam.
Data from KSOP Batam shows that the highest number of international passengers occurred on 30 May 2026, with a total of 24,562 people arriving in Batam. Other notable figures included 15,914 passengers on 29 May, 14,527 on 31 May, 11,422 on 1 June, and 10,040 on 28 May. These figures are substantially higher than typical weekdays; for comparison, international passenger numbers on 18 May 2026 were only around 5,997.
According to Takwim, Batam Centre International Port remained the busiest gateway for international passengers during the holiday period, followed by Harbour Bay, Nongsa, Sekupang, and Gold Coast Bengkong.
To manage the surge in passengers, KSOP Batam strengthened supervision and security across all passenger terminals and increased inspections regarding vessel seaworthiness. Takwim noted that KSOP Batam deployed additional personnel to every terminal through a special operational assistance (BKO) system involving various technical departments. Furthermore, the authority operated 24-hour sea patrols at high-traffic points and tightened inspections prior to vessel departures.
“Our actions included increasing personnel at every terminal, stationing ship patrol teams 24 hours a day at high-movement points, and intensifying strict inspections by vessel departure officers,” Takwim said. He ensured that all services and supervision during the long holiday period proceeded smoothly, ensuring that both passenger and maritime activities remained safe and controlled.