Port Capacity Restricted, Ferry Vessels Largely Idle During Mudik

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The ferry industry is facing substantial challenges during the Lebaran 2026 homecoming period following the implementation of a policy that restricts port capacity. Khoiri Soetomo, Chairman of the National Association of River, Lake and Ferry Operators (GAPASDAP), said that the cross-agency Joint Decree (SKB) limiting port capacity has left many vessels unable to operate optimally.

‘On strategic routes such as Merak–Bakauheni and Ketapang–Gilimanuk, the number of ships is actually adequate or even more than enough,’ Khoiri said in a formal statement on Thursday (5/3/2026).

‘The problem stems from limited port capacity, which prevents ships from operating optimally,’ he added.

He said that while vehicle flow management policy is in effect, there are cases of imbalanced vehicle distribution between major ports and feeder ports. When the main port is relatively empty, feeder ports such as BBJ and Ciwandan experience very long queues of goods vehicles.

The situation also gives rise to the TBB pattern (Tiba Bongkar Berangkat), where a vessel arrives at its destination port, unloads vehicles or cargo, and departs again without loading cargo. ‘In such circumstances the vessel continues to operate at full cost but without corresponding revenue, so ferry operators effectively bear a significant economic burden in ensuring Lebaran transport runs smoothly,’ Khoiri explained.

In the aviation, rail and road sectors, the government provides room for dynamic pricing up to the ceiling during peak travel periods. According to Khoiri, the mechanism not only sustains operator businesses but can also be an instrument to manage demand distribution.

‘Implementing dynamic pricing up to the ceiling at certain periods can help distribute vehicle flows more evenly, reducing congestion at specific times and ports,’ he added.

‘We will continue to collaborate with the government and all stakeholders to seek the best solutions so that the national ferry system can operate more efficiently, safely and sustainably,’ he emphasised.