The Number Of Sea Transportation Passengers In Batam Is Predicted To Increase By 8 Percent In The Nataru Period

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi visited Harbor Bay Port and Telaga Punggur Ferry Port, Batam. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Transportation)

The Ministry of Transportation predicts that the number of sea transportation passengers during the Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 (Nataru) periods in Batam, Riau Islands will increase by 8 percent.

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi visited Harbor Bay Port and Telaga Punggur Ferry Port, Batam, to directly check the readiness of sea transportation facilities and infrastructure as part of preparations for the face of Nataru.

"The Ministry of Transportation predicts an 8 percent increase in sea transportation passenger movements in Batam, during the Nataru 2025/2026 Transport period. We want to ensure that passenger terminal facilities, ship fleets, and public service systems are in optimal condition," he said in an official statement, Wednesday, December 10.

Dudy said that in Nataru last year the realization of the movement of sea transportation passengers amounted to 764,099 people. Consisting of the total number of passengers up and down, both international and domestic.

With an 8 percent increase, continued Dudy, the prediction of passengers for Nataru 2025/2026 will reach 825,226 passenger movements. This data is obtained from the Ports of Batam Center, Sekupang, Nongsa, Harborbay, Batu Ampar, and Telaga Punggur.

"The peak of homecoming is expected to take place on December 20 (Christmas) and December 27 (New Year), while the peak of backflow is predicted to occur on January 3, 2026," he said.

Dudy said Batam as a sea transportation hub that serves the movement of domestic and international passengers has a strategic role.

Moreover, said Dudy, Batam is one of the areas with very high sea transportation activities, so that aspects of shipworthiness, shipping safety, and extreme weather conditions in recent years must also be a major concern.

"We must ensure smooth community mobility, fleet readiness, improve service quality, and strengthen safety aspects in Batam. Regarding extreme weather, all weather information needs to be delivered quickly and accurately to operators and the public to support smooth travel," he said.

In addition, Dudy also emphasized that all aid ships must be operational and meet all safety requirements so that they can function at any time in the event of a surge in passengers or emergency conditions. He also asked all stakeholders to strengthen communication.

According to Dudy, various risk mitigation scenarios have also been prepared, ranging from extreme weather handling, passenger buildup, system disruption, to emergency situations such as port fires.

"Coordination with BMKG is strengthened through an early warning system so that operational decisions can be taken quickly and accurately," he explained.

To support the smooth running of services during the Nataru period, Batam prepared 13 ferry units, serving the Tg. Punggur'Tj. Uban, Tg. Punggur' Kuala Tungkal, Tg. Punggur' Sei Selari, as well as a number of pioneer routes connecting islands in the Riau Islands and its surroundings.

The Ministry of Transportation also ensures the readiness of state ships such as KN P.112 Sarotama and KN P.211 Rantos which will be alerted to support SAR operations and emergency needs during the high movement of passengers.

Selain itu, KSOP Batam melaporkan selama periode persiapan Nataru dilakukan ramp check terhadap 177 unit kapal yang beroperasi di Batam, dengan 83 unit kapal menjalani pemeriksaan kelaiklautan di Batam, serta pemeriksaan tambahan terhadap 29 unit kapal di luar Batam dan 65 kapal berbendera asing, guna memastikan seluruh armada memenuhi standar keselamatan pelayaran yang dipersyaratkan.

“Keselamatan adalah prioritas utama. Tidak ada kompromi. Ramp check, pengecekan alat keselamatan, hingga kesiapan kru harus 100 persen,” kata Dudy.

In addition, KSOP Batam reported that during the preparation period, Nataru was ramp checked for 177 ships operating in Batam, with 83 ships undergoing seaworthiness checks in Batam, as well as additional inspections of 29 ships outside Batam and 65 foreign-flagged vessels, to ensure that the entire fleet met the required shipping safety standards.

"Security is a top priority. There is no compromise. Ramp checks, checking safety equipment, and crew readiness must be 100 percent," said Dudy.