Empty Ferries During Peak Travel as SKB Policy Burdens Operators

Jakarta — The Central Leadership Council of the National Association of River, Lake and Crossing Transport Entrepreneurs (Gapasdap) has expressed support for the government’s steps to maintain the smooth, safe and secure transport system during the Lebaran travel period. However, they have urged field evaluations.

Gapasdap Chairman Khoiri Soetomo explained that the ferry crossing industry faces significant challenges under the cross-agency Joint Decree (Surat Keputusan Bersama, SKB) governing mudik flow. He said that, as a result of the SKB, operational practices often result in ferries not being able to operate optimally.

‘On strategic routes such as Merak-Bakauheni or Ketapang-Gilimanuk, the number of vessels is actually sufficient, even more than enough. The problem stems mainly from limited quay capacity, so many ships cannot operate optimally,’ Khoiri said in Jakarta, on Wednesday (4/3/2026).

He noted that while the vehicle flow policy is in place, there are occasions when distribution of vehicles between the main port and supporting ports is imbalanced. When the main port is relatively empty, supporting ports, such as BBJ and Ciwandan, experience long queues of goods vehicles.

This situation gives rise to the TBB operation pattern (arrival, unload, departure). Khoiri stated that vessels arrive at the destination port, unload the vehicles, but depart again without loading any vehicles or cargo.

‘In such cases, the vessel continues to operate at full cost, but without balanced revenue, so ferry operators end up bearing a substantial economic burden to maintain Lebaran transport continuity,’ Khoiri said.

Moreover, he added, Gapasdap believes that to date the ferry industry has not obtained policy flexibility comparable with other transport modes. Khoiri contrasted that in aviation, rail, and road transport sectors, the government provides room for dynamic pricing up to the ceiling during peak travel periods.