Anticipating A Surge In Passengers In Nataru, The Directorate General Of Hubla Prepares 1,354 Ships

JAKARTA - Director General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Antoni Arif Priadi said that he had prepared 1,354 ships to anticipate passengers during the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year (Nataru) holidays.

Antoni said the government predicts there will be a 5 percent increase in passenger volume compared to the same period last year.

"To anticipate the surge in passengers, the Ministry of Transportation through the Directorate General of Sea Transportation has prepared a sea transportation fleet of 1,354 ships with a capacity of 242,069 passengers," said Antoni in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 5.

In addition, Antoni continued, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation will also establish a monitoring post in 264 Indonesian ports from 18 December 2023 to 8 January 2024.

"These posts aim to monitor the situation on the ground as well as ensure the smoothness, security, and comfort of passenger travel," he said.

Antoni also emphasized that the entire fleet of ships must be ensured to be seaworthy. This includes having to work hand in hand in increasing supervision of shipping safety and security, including anticipating extreme weather.

Considering that Nataru often coincides with extreme weather, Antoni also instructed port facilities to be a concern for UPT and Operators. Meanwhile, shipping companies are asked to be able to update the latest information on the arrival or departure schedule of ships either at ports or through social media.

"For this reason, it is hoped that all Technical Implementation Units and Nahkodas will always monitor the weather forecasts obtained from the BMKG. Syahbandar is also required to postpone ship departures in the event of bad weather conditions before the ship departs, because shipping safety cannot be compensated for," he explained.

On the same occasion, Director of Sea Transport Hendri Ginting revealed that the Ministry of Transportation will optimize the potential of sea transportation fleets in UPT in their respective regions. Especially the sections with the highest number of passengers on the homecoming flow or back so that it can reduce the accumulation of passengers.

To improve coordination, Hendri said his party would always synergize and involve all relevant parties in emergency management.

Furthermore, Hendri said this was implemented through regular renewal of the emergency plan and involved training and simulations, as well as mapping the location of the KPLP and Kenavigasian state ships.

"We are fully committed to providing maximum service to the community. With this preparation, we believe that the flow of homecoming and return to Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 can run smoothly," said Hendri.