Government Regulates Ferry Port Distribution for 2026 Lebaran Holiday Transport

The Ministry of Transport, working with the National Traffic Police (Korlantas Polri) and the Ministry of Public Works, has established a distribution system for ferry ports during the 2026 Lebaran holiday period to reduce congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow during the homecoming exodus.

Aan Suhanan, Director-General of Land Transport at the Transport Ministry, stated in Jakarta on Monday that the arrangement controls the movement of passengers and goods, particularly at Merak, Bakauheni, Ketapang, Gilimanuk, Jangkar, Padang Bai, and Lembar ferry terminals.

“We have already established arrangements at various ferry ports to distribute congestion and anticipate vehicle accumulation at a single point,” Aan said in Jakarta on Monday.

He explained that the arrangement was necessary due to predicted increases in public mobility and vehicle volumes during the period.

The ferry arrangement is outlined in Joint Decision Letter (SKB) Number KP-DRJD 854 Year 2026, Number HK.201/1/21DJPL/2026, Number 20/KPTS/Db/2026, Number Kep/43/II/2026 dated 5 February 2026 concerning Road Traffic and Ferry Arrangements during the 2026 Lebaran Exodus and Return Period/1447 Hijra.

This covers Merak, Bakauheni, Ciwandan, BBJ Bojonegara (Serang, Banten), BBJ Muara Pilu (South Lampung), PT Wijaya Karya Beton Tbk (Bakauheni), PT Krakatau Bandar Samudera (Cilegon), Panjang (Lampung), and PT Sumur Makmur Abadi ports.

During the initial exodus period from Wednesday, 11 March 2026 at 15:00 until Friday, 13 March 2026 at 12:00 local time, vehicles destined for Sumatra through Merak Port include pedestrians, Class I (bicycles), motorcycles Classes II, III, IVa, IVb, Va, and VIa using the Merak-Bakauheni route.

Cargo vehicles Classes Vb, VIb, and VII will use Ciwandan Port (Ciwandan-Wika Beton and/or Ciwandan-Bakauheni route), whilst Classes VIII and IX cargo will use BBJ Bojonegoro (Bojonegoro-Muara Pilu route).

Heavy cargo Classes VIII and IX destined for Lampung may also use the maritime route from PT Krakatau Bandar Samudera (Cilegon) to Panjang Port (Lampung).

During the initial exodus period, vehicles heading to Java through Bakauheni Port include pedestrians, Class I (bicycles), motorcycles Classes II, III, IVa, Va, VIa, and cargo Class IVb using the Bakauheni-Merak route.

Cargo Classes Vb, VIb, VII, VIII, and IX will use BBJ Muara Pilu Port (Muara Pilu-Bojonegara route), whilst Classes VIII and IX cargo destined for Banten may use the maritime route from Panjang Port (Lampung) to PT Krakatau Bandar Samudera (Cilegon).

During the peak exodus period from Friday, 13 March 2026 at 12:00 until Friday, 20 March 2026 at 15:00 local time, pedestrians, motorcycles Classes IVa, Va, VIa, and cargo Class IVb can use Merak Port (Merak-Bakauheni route).

Class I (bicycles), motorcycles Classes II, III, and cargo Classes Vb, VIb with two axles destined for Sumatra will use Ciwandan Port (Ciwandan-Wika Beton and/or Ciwandan-Bakauheni route).

Heavy cargo Class VIb with three axles, Classes VII, VIII, and IX cargo not subject to cargo transport restrictions can use BBJ Bojonegara (Bojonegoro-Muara Pilu route).

Heavy cargo Class VIb with three or more axles, Classes VII, VIII, and IX cargo still operating under cargo transport restrictions will be directed to wait in the buffer zone at BBJ Bojonegoro Port until restrictions end.

During the return period from Monday, 23 March 2026 at 00:00 until Sunday, 29 March 2026 at 24:00 local time for Sumatra-bound traffic, pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles Classes II, III, IVa, Va, VIa, and cargo Classes IVb, Vb, and VIb with two-axle vehicles will use Merak Port (Merak-Bakauheni route).

Heavy cargo Class VIb with three axles, Classes VII, VIII, and IX not subject to cargo transport restrictions will use BBJ Bojonegara Port (Bojonegoro-Muara Pilu route).

Heavy cargo Class VIb with three axles, Classes VII, VIII, and IX still operating under cargo restrictions will be directed to wait in the buffer zone at BBJ Bojonegara Port until restrictions end.

During the return period for Java-bound traffic, pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles Classes III, II, III, IVa, Va, and VIa will use Bakauheni Port (Bakauheni-Merak route).

Cargo vehicles Classes IVb, Vb, VIb, and those not subject to cargo transport restrictions will be serviced through BBJ Muara Pilu Port (Muara Pilu-Bojonegara route).

Heavy cargo Class VIb with three axles, Classes VII, VIII, and IX still operating under cargo restrictions will be directed to wait at buffer zone rest areas at KM 172B (Terbanggi Besar-Pematang Panggang-Kayu Agung toll), KM 87B, KM 49B, and KM 20B (Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar toll), and at various non-toll road sections.

Ketapang Ferry Port, Gilimanuk Ferry Port, Lembar Ferry Port, Tanjung Wangi Port, Gilimas Port, and other facilities will also be utilised during the holiday period.