BPTD attributes Bakauheni berthing delays to addition of vessels

Lampung (ANTARA) - The Lampung Land Transportation Management Agency (BPTD) has stated that the delays in vessel berthing at Bakauheni Port during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming flow were due to the addition of fleets in operation. Coordinator of the Bakauheni Ferry Port Sea Traffic Service Unit, Trimoyo, from BPTD Class II Lampung, said in South Lampung on Thursday that the increase in the number of ships berthing at Bakauheni Port caused queues. “Yes, why it’s taking so long, because of the addition of ships from Ciwandan and BBJ, all berthing at Bakauheni Port, thus creating a queue for berthing,” he said. According to him, there had previously been a viral incident circulating on social media regarding the delay in berthing at Bakauheni Port, which occurred on Friday morning (19/03). Then, he said, the ship was waiting at the entrance channel because the preceding ship from Merak, KMP Nitya, entered the channel at 07:50 WIB, berthed at 08:42 WIB, and departed at 09:19 WIB; Wira Qaila was given entry to the channel at 09:30 WIB and berthed at 10:10 WIB. Therefore, he explained that regarding the viral news claiming a berthing delay of up to eight hours, his side confirmed that it was not true. “This incident was also caused by the addition of ships to ease the congestion in Merak, so ships destined for Bakauheni experienced a buildup, with 31 ships from Merak-Bakauheni, 8 ships from Ciwandan-Bakauheni, and 6 ships from BBJ Bojonegara-Bakauheni, for a total of 45 operating ships destined for Bakauheni,” he stated.