Heaptalk, Jakarta — PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo), a state-owned enterprise (SOE) engaged in sea transportation, mainly ports, is operating 63 terminals across Indonesia during the 2024/2025 Christmas and New Year holidays.
This step is taken to anticipate a 12.5% increase in passengers from 1,925,169 last year to 2,165,815, including Pelni passengers, roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ships, and ferry ships. This surge is anticipated at several main ports, such as Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Balai Karimun, Makassar, Balikpapan, and Tanjung Perak. Kupang, Manado, Jayapura, and Kendari ports are expected to be the busiest.
“Christmas and New Year is a routine that we always prepare for. This year, we are operating 63 terminals across Indonesia, with one of our largest customers being Pelni,” stated Arif Suhartono, President Director of Pelindo, at a press conference in the Ministry of SOEs, Central Jakarta (12/19).
Adding facilities, personnel, and security
Meanwhile, with ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Arif conveyed that the company is collaborating to facilitate operations in the Merak-Bakauheni crossing area. For the past three years, the company has prepared the Ciwandan Port in Cilegon City, Banten Province, to anticipate congestion at Merak-Bakauheni.
Along with operating these 63 terminals, the company has also added facilities and personnel at each port to ensure smooth operations during this peak season. Increased facilities include tents, chairs, and portable toilets. Security personnel involve the TNI and Polri, while operational staff, including back-office staff, is also increased. The Christmas and New Year service monitoring is conducted from December 18, 2024, until mid-January 2025.
Pelindo also schedules routine port repairs yearly, especially after officially merging in October 2021. This year, the company has carried out repairs in Ternate, Sei Kolak Kijang, and Manokwari, while next year, repairs are planned in Ambon, Makassar, and Surabaya. “Several passenger terminal repairs have already been done. Every year after the merger, we always carry out repairs on four passenger terminals,” Arif concluded.