JAKARTA INDONESIA (ISL News) - PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) or Pelindo has successfully served 1,526,167 passengers on the 2025/2026 Christmas and New Year (Nataru) period through all passenger terminals managed by the company, a 2.5% increase from the same period the previous year. This figure was recorded between December 10, 2025, and January 2, 2026 (15 days before and eight days after).
In addition to passengers, 156,464 vehicles were served, a significant increase of 51% from the same period last year. This increase was dominated by vehicle movements through Ciwandan Port, Banten. The high vehicle volume in Ciwandan is in line with the policy of regulating ferry traffic through the Java-Sumatra route and the optimization of alternative ports implemented during the Christmas and New Year period, thus supporting the smooth distribution of vehicles and reducing congestion at Merak Port, Banten.
"Vehicle flow is structured from the moment they enter the port area, supported by infrastructure readiness, supporting facilities, and the readiness of officers at all service points," said Pelindo Group Head of Corporate Secretary, Ali Sodikin, explaining the key to smooth service during this period.
Ali added that his team is also expanding the land-based vehicle capacity. The buffer area, which previously only included Field A and Field R2, has now been expanded to include Field Pier 001 and the Helipad.
Several ports were recorded as the busiest during this period. In terms of passenger traffic, Tanjung Pinang was the busiest port with 177,959 passengers, followed by Tanjung Balai Karimun (133,700 passengers), Tanjung Perak (116,353 passengers), Ambon (77,689 passengers), and Makassar (68,072 passengers). Meanwhile, in terms of vehicles, Tanjung Perak was the port with the highest traffic, recording 33,041 vehicles, followed by Banten (30,634 passengers), Lembar (20,390 passengers), Balikpapan (12,692 passengers), and Tanjung Wangi (9,112 passengers).
A motorcycle rider from Tangerang who was crossing to Sumatra expressed his appreciation for Pelindo's service. "The service was excellent, the officers were responsive, and it made me feel comfortable," said Nani.
Pelindo continues to strive to provide wholehearted service for passenger comfort and actively coordinates intensively with port stakeholders to ensure that public travel during the return flow can be well controlled.
"Thank you to all parties and stakeholders for your excellent collaboration and cooperation in assisting and supporting the smooth running of services during the Christmas and New Year period," Ali concluded.
(ISL News Editorial/Corcom Pelindo Center).
