US Dollar Surge Prompts Calls for Ferry Tariff Hike

The fortunes of ferry transport businesses are becoming increasingly dire. The weakening of the rupiah against the US dollar is exerting significant pressure on the operational costs of ferry transport companies. Based on Bank Indonesia’s transaction rate on 9 June 2026, the rupiah was trading at around Rp 18,136 per US dollar.

For entrepreneurs in the National Association of River, Lake, and Ferry Transport Operators (Gapasdap), this situation is creating difficulties. Gapasdap Chairman Khoiri Soetomo assessed that the current conditions have a direct impact on various cost components that are highly dependent on foreign currencies.

This is compounded by global oil prices remaining at a high level of around 94 US dollars per barrel. “The combination of the weakening rupiah and high global oil prices is causing vessel operational burdens to increase significantly,” Khoiri stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He explained that vessel operational costs continue to rise, whilst company revenues remain relatively unchanged because ferry transport tariffs have yet to be adjusted. “The impact of the rupiah’s weakening is most pronounced in vessel maintenance costs. Almost all cost components have experienced a significant increase,” he said.