Crossing Safety Is ASDP's Main Focus During Extreme Weather

JAKARTA - PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) prioritizes crossing safety services during the long weekend return of Isra Mi'raj and the 2025 Chinese New Year in the midst of extreme weather.

ASDP Corporate Secretary Shelvy Arifin explained that this spike in traffic shows the high mobility of the community during the long holiday.

To ensure smooth service, ASDP continues to optimize the digitalization system, especially through online ticket booking via Ferizy which is proven to accelerate the departure process and reduce queues at ports.

Digital transformation in the last five years is to provide comfort for service users.

Currently, Ferizy online ticket reservations have been implemented in 28 ports throughout Indonesia, mainly at the main ports of Merak, Bakauheni, Ketapang, Gilimanuk and also Ajibata-Ambarita.

In addition, ASDP strengthens safety aspects, especially in the face of potential extreme weather that can have an impact on crossing operations.

Referring to the instructions of the Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi, ASDP continues to coordinate with BMKG to monitor weather forecasts and ensure fleet readiness to face extreme conditions, such as heavy rains, strong winds, and high waves.

Shelvy emphasized that in weather conditions that could potentially endanger shipping safety, ASDP would not hesitate to postpone or cancel travel for the safety of service users, in accordance with the sailing permit issued by regulators.

"Security is our top priority. If weather conditions are not possible, travel can be postponed until the situation is safe to sail again," he said.

To support the safety aspect, he said, ASDP has also tightened inspection of ship readiness, ensured that all safety equipment is in optimal condition, and increased surveillance at ports.

"We urge all service users to always comply with safety rules and follow the directions of officers at ports and on ships," Shelvy said.

Based on production data for the period 24-30 January 2025, on the Merak-Bakauheni track, as many as 233,962 passengers crossed from Sumatra to Java, an increase of 64 percent compared to last year's 142,971 people.

The total number of vehicles crossing reached 59,593 units, up 44 percent from 41,477 units in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the flow from Java to Sumatra recorded 249,542 passengers, an increase of 51 percent from the previous year which reached 164,798 people, with total vehicles reaching 60,139 units, an increase of 40 percent from 42,962 units last year.

On the Ketapang-Gilimanuk route, the return flow from Bali to Java was recorded at 180,451 passengers, up 25 percent compared to last year's 144,757 people, with the number of vehicles reaching 44,431 units, an increase of 14 percent from 38,948 units last year.

Meanwhile, movements from Java to Bali recorded 181,074 passengers, an increase of 29 percent from the previous year which reached 140,264 people, as well as 44,279 vehicles, an increase of 20 percent compared to the same period last year which was recorded at 36,894 units.