Fast passenger ship in Belitung increases departure schedule

Tanjung Pandan — The Express Bahari 3 E fast passenger ship operating the Tanjungpandan-Pangkalbalam port route is increasing its departure schedule from three times weekly to daily service to accommodate the Lebaran 2026 exodus.

“The Express Bahari 3 E is increasing its departure frequency to daily operations to serve the Lebaran 2026 exodus,” said Bambang Chandra, Head of the Fourth Class Port Authority (KSOP) of Tanjungpandan, on Sunday.

“However, the vessel will temporarily cease operations for three days to celebrate Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah and will resume service for returning passengers,” he added.

The Express Bahari 3 E departs Tanjungpandan port at 07:00 WIB and from Pangkalbalam port at 14:00 WIB. “The current flow of returning passengers at Tanjungpandan port has been monitored and is running smoothly,” said Bambang Chandra.

The port authority has mobilised its fleet to serve the 2026 Lebaran holiday transport operations, including the Express Bahari 3 E (Tanjungpandan-Pangkalbalam route) with a capacity of 400 passengers, KM Lawit (Tanjung Batu-Jakarta-Pontianak) with 1,247 passenger capacity, KM Sawita (Tanjungpandan-Tanjung Priok) with 176 passenger capacity, and KM Salvia (Tanjungpandan-Jakarta) with 174 passenger capacity.

“We have also established a Lebaran Holiday Transport Command Post from 13 to 30 March 2026 at Tanjungpandan port,” he said.