Pelni Offers 30 Per Cent Discount on Tickets; Sea Travel Exodus to Semarang Forecast to Rise Marginally
SEMARANG – Yuniati Fatimah, head of PT Pelni’s Semarang branch, has stated that the percentage of sea-based holiday travellers journeying from Kalimantan to Central Java is forecast to experience no significant surge during this year’s Eid holiday. Pelni has implemented a 30 per cent discount on ticket prices.
“Compared to 2025, our projection shows little variation; the increase is not significant, perhaps around 3 per cent,” Fatimah said when asked about the anticipated increase in passenger numbers at Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
She explained that the Eid holiday transportation period has been set for one month, from 6 March to 6 April 2026.
“During the period from 6 March until today, approximately 3,300 passengers have disembarked at Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang, whilst 210 passengers have boarded,” she stated.
PT Pelni Semarang has prepared five vessels to facilitate travel during the Eid holiday period: KM Lawit, KM Kelimutu, KM Awu, KM Leuser, and KM Bukit Raya. These five ships serve the roundtrip routes of Semarang–Sampit, Semarang–Kumai, and Semarang–Pontianak.
According to Fatimah, compared with regular days, the number of passengers disembarking at Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang since 6 March 2026 has increased. She cited the Kumai–Semarang route as an example, where passenger numbers typically average between 400 and 500 persons per journey. Since 6 March 2026, the number of passengers disembarking has ranged between 900 and 1,200 persons.
“The peak of the exodus is estimated to occur on 18 March 2026,” Fatimah said.
She assured that all PT Pelni vessels are in prime condition as the Eid holiday transportation period begins, ensuring travel safety.
“We have prioritised three pillars: safety first, zero accidents, and excellent service. To achieve this, we have equipped all safety apparatus, carried out ramp checks, and increased passenger capacity on board,” Fatimah said.