Pelni Jakarta finalises strategy to handle passenger surge

Jakarta (ANTARA) - PT Pelni (Persero) Jakarta Branch has finalised its strategy to handle the passenger surge during the 2026 Lebaran transport period. The main strategy focuses on strengthening the fleet by providing nine ships on standby, with a total of 21 port calls to serve travellers returning home. “Pelni Tanjung Priok is serving Lebaran transport with nine ships and 21 calls during the Lebaran transport period,” said Head of Pelni Jakarta Branch Antonius Lumban Gaol to ANTARA in Jakarta on Friday. Through this schedule arrangement, Pelni Jakarta provides a transport capacity of up to 21,000 seats, a proactive step predicted to accommodate the high public interest in returning to hometowns via sea routes. To ensure comfort and smooth on-site processes, security and service aspects are the top priorities. The company has prepared a total of 28 security personnel, a collaboration between 14 internal security staff and 14 personnel from the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL). In addition, passenger flows are strictly regulated by a special team consisting of 21 embarkation-disembarkation service staff, as well as 15 operational staff. The placement of these personnel is expected to maintain good, safe, and conducive passenger services. Furthermore, the company is actively collaborating with stakeholders, from Pelindo, the Harbourmaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), police, to quarantine officers. “With good collaboration, it is hoped that ship operations will run smoothly,” Antonius stated. The prepared strategy also includes rerouting ships to routes with high passenger surge potential, expanding ticketing purchase channels to provide ease of access for the public, and conducting trial runs (safety audits) to ensure all fleets are seaworthy. Logistics service optimisation is also carried out by adding distribution centres to maintain supply smoothness during the transport period. “(I advise passengers to) maintain health, bring medications, and avoid touts because we have many ticketing purchase channels,” he said.