ASDP Ensures All Main Ports Are Ready To Face Mobility Surges On Nataru Holidays

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) ensures that all major ports are ready to face a surge in community mobility during the 2025 Christmas holiday (photo: dock. special)

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) ensures that all major ports are ready to face a surge in community mobility during the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year (Nataru) holidays. All of these preparations are in line with government policies that implement a new regulatory scheme on the MerakBakauheni and KetapangGilimanuk tracks.

Director of Operations and Transformation of ASDP, Rio Lasse emphasized that the readiness of facilities, fleets and personnel has been thoroughly prepared to ensure that the flow of crossings runs safely and in an orderly manner.

"The Nataru period is momentum with a high mobility spike, so operational readiness is the key to creating smooth and safe travel," Rio said in an official statement, Sunday, December 7.

Rio explained, at Merak ASDP Port, 1,197 personnel were alerted with a capacity of almost 5,000 mixed vehicles. Meanwhile, in Bakauheni, 737 personnel were prepared to handle the capacity of up to 7,000 mixed vehicles.

"In Ketapang, ASDP deployed 350 personnel with a capacity of 2,370 small vehicles, and in Gilimanuk 250 personnel managed a capacity of up to 1,335 small vehicles," he said.

In terms of ticket service, ASDP's Corporate Secretary, Windy Andale, appealed to service users to buy tickets early via Ferizy, which has opened purchase access to H-60.

Ticket purchases have been important since long ago to avoid queues. The system will detect the GPS location, and if the purchase is made too close to the port by the authorities, the transaction cannot be processed," Windy said.

Merak' Bakauheni And Ketapang's Crossing Patterns Gilimanuk

The Director General of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation, Aan Suhanan conveyed that the arrangement was contained in a Joint Decree (SKB) on Road Traffic and Crossing Regulations during the 2025/2026 Nataru Transportation.

Aan said that rearranging the pattern of vehicle movement is a crucial step so that there is no buildup in the main port.

"We estimate an increase in the movement of people and the volume of vehicles in the ferry sector. Therefore, a number of supporting ports are prepared to break the density," said Aan.

According to the SKB, starting December 19, 2025 at 15.00 to January 4, 2026 at 24.00, Merak Port will serve pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles class IVa, IVb, Va, Vb, and Via.

Class II, III, and VIb vehicles were diverted to Ciwandan Port. Meanwhile, class VII to IX vehicles are directed to Bojonegara BBJ. The Port of PT Krakatau Bandar Samudera to Panjang Port will operate optionally in the event of a queue of freight transport.

For the opposite current from Sumatra to Java, Bakauheni Port serves pedestrians to VIb class vehicles. Class VII, VIII, and IX goods vehicles are directed to Muara Pilu BBJ, with Panjang Port and Muara Pilu BBJ as reserves in case of congestion.

On the Ketapang 'Gilimanuk route, priority is given to motorbikes, passenger cars, and buses, while class VII to IX goods cars are diverted to the Tanjung Wangi'Gilimas or Jangkabar route starting December 19, 2025 at 00.00. Bulusan Pier is prepared to support services in the event of a spike due to extreme weather.

To maintain the smooth flow of vehicles to the port, the government implements a delay system, ticket checks, and preparation of buffer zones at various points. As for Merak and Ciwandan, the arrangements are made at the KM 43A and KM 68A rest areas of the Tangerang 'Merak toll road, PT Munic Line land in Cikuasa Atas, and the parking area of Indah Kiat Port.

Meanwhile, the delay system to Bakauheni is placed in the KM 49B and KM 20B rest areas, as well as non-toll points such as the Gayam Agribusiness Terminal and Gunung Jati Restaurant. In Ketapang and Gilimanuk, the delay system and ticket checks were carried out at Grand Watudol, Bulusan Pier, Gilimanuk Cargo Terminal, as well as Gilimanuk Bus Terminal for motorcycles.

In addition to land movement arrangements, said Aan, postponing ship departures can be enforced based on BMKG warnings related to extreme weather.

Aan also emphasized that the decision to postpone it completely aims to maintain the safety of passengers, crew members, and cargo. Information on schedule changes will be conveyed through official channels of the government and operators.

"With solid coordination between the Ministry of Transportation, ASDP, Korlantas Polri, the Ministry of PUPR, as well as all stakeholders, crossing services for the Nataru 2025/2026 period are expected to run safely, orderly, and provide the best experience for the community," he said.