Ministry Of Transportation Predicts Movement Towards North Sumatra To Reach 5.53 Million At Nataru Moment

Photo: Doc. Ministry of Transportation

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) through the Transportation Policy Agency (BKT) estimates that 5.53 million movements will occur towards North Sumatra (North Sumatra) during Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 (Nataru). This amount is equivalent to 4.63 percent.

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi said the figure made North Sumatra have the potential to become one of the favorite destinations for celebrations at the end and beginning of next year.

Therefore, Dudy flew to North Sumatra to ensure the readiness of transportation nodes. Especially, at Ajibata Port, in Toba Regency.

"Toba is one of the places where Christmas and New Year celebrations are quite busy using or utilizing crossing routes where there are around 357 ships in this working area," said Dudy in an official statement, Thursday, December 11.

Regarding the implementation of Nataru in Toba, Dudy has also instructed the Lake Toba Harbormaster Office and Ferry Port Authority (KSOPP) to synergize with other stakeholders, to prepare crossing transportation facilities and infrastructure.

Currently, the KSOPP of Lake Toba oversees 10 ferry ports operating, including the Balige Ferry Port, Onanrunggu, Muara, Sipinggan, Ambarita, Tigaras, Simanindo, Ajibata Tomok, Tomok, and Ajibata.

"Ajibata Port itself serves two crossings, namely Ajibata-Tomok and Ajibata'Ambarita," he said.

Dudy emphasized the importance of ramp checks, the number of cargoes, as well as the condition of the crew and the weather. Regarding ramp checks, Dudy emphasized that all parties ensure that ships sailing on Lake Toba are roadworthy. Also, the number of cargoes is in accordance with their capacity.

In addition to the condition of the ship, Dudy also advised the condition of the crew to be of concern. Because if the crew is tired, the concentration while on duty can be reduced.

Finally, weather conditions that have recently changed must also be a concern. Dudy hopes that information about weather conditions will be conveyed to operators and the public directly. That way, zero accidents and zero fatality can be realized.

"Don't give operators the opportunity to force themselves to sail if weather conditions are not possible. Please give an explanation to the public properly so that the public knows weather conditions and also understands if there is a delay in departure or maybe cancellation," said Dudy.