Ship Operators Push for Ferry Tariff Hike, NTB Transport Agency to Review
The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Transportation Agency (Dishub) will study a proposed adjustment to ferry crossing tariffs. The move follows pressure from the Indonesian National Association of River, Lake, and Ferry Transport Operators (Gapasdap), which has complained about ballooning operational costs.
Head of the NTB Transportation Agency, Ervan Anwar, revealed that the agency has so far only received a verbal submission. Ervan said he is still waiting for an official written proposal from the ship operators’ association.
“The mechanism requires a written proposal first. We will review it based on that proposal. The tariff may go up, or it may not,” Ervan stated on Tuesday (30/6/2026).
Ervan stressed that the decision to increase ferry tariffs cannot be made unilaterally. The regional government, he said, must weigh various aspects, particularly the impact on purchasing power and the public’s economic condition.
“The consideration is not only from the operator’s side, but also looking at the community’s economic condition. Many factors must be considered,” he added.
According to Ervan, the review process will involve cross-sectoral parties, including the NTB Transportation Agency, operator associations, and consumer protection agencies representing service users. In initial communications, Gapasdap claimed there is room for a tariff adjustment of up to 31 per cent.
“They conveyed that there is still space of around 31 per cent. That is according to the association. We will conduct a study once the proposal is submitted,” Ervan said.
Chairman of Gapasdap Lembar, Firman Dandy, urged the government to take immediate concrete action to sustain the maritime industry. “The current ferry transport tariff is still around 31.8 per cent below the Cost of Production (HPP),” Firman revealed.
Firman said this condition has been worsened by the skyrocketing prices of several vital ship components recently. For instance, the price of marine oil has surged by up to 60 per cent, spare parts prices have risen by 30 to 40 per cent, and ship classification renewal costs have increased by about 20 per cent.
He then referred to Law Number 17 of 2008 on Shipping. According to the regulation, Firman stated, operators must not compromise on passenger safety, security, and comfort standards.
Firman reminded the government not to delay the tariff adjustment, as the stakes involve shipping safety. As an alternative cost-reduction measure, Gapasdap has proposed several incentives to the government.
These include the elimination of Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP), reduction of port fees, removal of fuel tax (BBM), reduction of ship classification costs, and easier access to special credit facilities for the maritime sector.
“Shipping safety cannot be compromised. The tariff calculation has been carried out according to the rules. If it is not realised and service standards decline, the responsibility lies with the regulator,” Firman asserted.