MAKASSAR INDONESIA (ISL News) - PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) or Pelindo Regional 4 ensures full readiness to welcome the surge in passenger activity during the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year holidays which are projected to increase by 12.5% compared to the same period last year. Various strategic steps have been prepared to ensure optimal service in all managed ports, especially in the Eastern Indonesia Region (KTI).
Executive Director 4 Pelindo Regional 4, Abdul Azis said that the number of passenger flows from all ports managed by Pelindo Regional 4 during this year's Christmas holiday season is estimated to reach 2,165,815 people.
"The predicted increase of around 12.5% is based on the increase in calls or visits by RoRo ships, especially through the opening of new routes from Surabaya - Balikpapan - Palu and Surabaya - Lembar - Waingapu - Kupang," said Abdul Azis during a gathering with the media in Makassar, Thursday (12/12/2024).
In addition, he continued, there is a prediction of an increase in passenger flow from the Eastern Indonesia region starting from the Port of Makassar, Ambon, Jayapura, and several ports in Papua. Also a prediction of an increase in the Port of Manado and Bitung, as well as an increase in foreign passengers from Indonesia to Malaysia and Indonesia to Singapore.
He said, the flow of passengers during the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year holidays will start on D-15 to D+15, with the peak Christmas holiday flow for sea transportation users on December 20, 21, and 22, 2024. Meanwhile, the peak return flow is predicted to occur on January 3, 4, and 5, 2025.
According to Executive Director 4 of Pelindo Regional 4, Makassar Port is the port with the densest number of passengers among other managed ports in the Eastern Indonesia Region under the auspices of Pelindo Regional 4.
"Almost every year, especially when Christmas and New Year holidays arrive, Makassar Port always experiences a significant surge in passengers. Even among all Pelindo's working areas, in Region 4 which always records the highest number of passengers, especially the eastern ports with the majority of residents celebrating Nataru."
Anticipating a Surge in Passengers
Meanwhile, anticipating the surge in traffic during the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holidays this time, Abdul Azis said that every year Pelindo always increases or repairs passenger terminal facilities such as passenger waiting rooms, passenger overnight waiting rooms, health rooms, garbarata, elevators, disabled toilets, children's playrooms, wheelchairs, and control rooms/CCTV.
Pelindo also prepared tents, chairs and portable toilets in clean condition during the Nataru period. Including improving security facilities and providing autogates, which are services to the public.
Pelindo as part of the State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) which is the driving force of the national logistics sector is also improving the sterilization facilities of passenger terminal waiting rooms, one of which is by installing autogates at passenger terminals in the Regional 4 work environment which includes Makassar, Balikpapan, Sorong, and Samarinda.
In addition to optimizing port facilities and strengthening security services, Pelindo is also taking readiness steps, namely collaboration with stakeholders.
"Regarding collaboration with stakeholders, Pelindo Regional 4 is working with the Port Authority, ship operators, local governments, the Port Health Office (KKP) which prepares the health officer's duty schedule, and many other parties to ensure good coordination, especially regarding the management of the Christmas and New Year holiday and return flows this year," explained Abdul Azis.
The General Manager (GM) of Pelindo Regional 4 Makassar, Iwan Sjarifuddin, added that his party hopes that with thorough preparation, people's travel using sea transportation can run safely, comfortably and smoothly during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
"We urge passengers to comply with the regulations at the port and take the time to arrive early to avoid congestion," said Iwan.
Pelindo Regional 4 is committed to providing the best service as part of its support for the smooth flow of sea transportation and the comfort of the community. "Hopefully this Christmas and New Year holiday will run smoothly, safely, and orderly without any significant obstacles."
(ISL News Editorial Team/Pelindo Regional 4 Public Relations/email:islnewstv@gmail.com).
