Sampit Port Homecoming Activities Peak with Three Ships Departing in One Day

Passenger homecoming activities via the sea route at Sampit Port, East Kotawaringin District, Central Kalimantan, peaked on Sunday 15 March 2026. In a single day, three passenger vessels were dispatched with a total passenger count approaching 3,000 bound for several ports on the island of Java.

Hotman Siagian, Head of the Port Authority and Port Operations Office (KSOP) Class III Sampit, stated that the vessels operated routes to Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya and Tanjung Mas Port in Semarang.

“Three ships departing today serve Surabaya and Semarang routes. This represents the peak of the homecoming surge at Sampit Port during the Eid transport period,” he said.

One of the departing vessels was KM Leuser, operated by PT Pelni, heading to Surabaya with 1,392 passengers. Additionally, two vessels operated by PT Dharma Lautan Utama (DLU) also transported homebound travellers: KM Kirana III bound for Surabaya and KM Dharma Rucitra VI bound for Semarang, each carrying approximately 768 and 523 passengers respectively.

According to KSOP Sampit data, the number of ship passengers during this year’s Eid homecoming period is estimated to have increased approximately 10 per cent compared to the previous year.

Despite the substantial passenger volume, conditions at Sampit Port’s passenger terminal remained orderly with no significant congestion. Port authorities attributed this to coordination conducted with various parties.

“We have coordinated with ship operators and relevant parties to ensure smooth passenger flow,” Siagian stated.

Shipping operators also prepared reserve tickets to accommodate passengers without confirmed bookings. Approximately 10 reserve tickets were made available, and nine passengers from the previous evening were successfully accommodated by the shipping operators.

Siagian added that some passengers were workers residing in Sampit who would continue their journey to West Nusa Tenggara via Surabaya.