Pelindo Regional 4 is fully prepared to accommodate a significant increase in passenger activity during the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year (Nataru) holiday period, forecasting a 12.5% rise in passenger traffic compared to last year. The company has implemented a range of strategic measures to ensure smooth operations and optimal service at all ports under its management, particularly across Eastern Indonesia.
Abdul Azis, Executive Director of Pelindo Regional 4, revealed that passenger numbers at the ports managed by the company are expected to reach approximately 2.17 million during the 2024 Christmas holiday season.
“The predicted 12.5% increase in passenger flow is driven by the rise in visits by RoRo ships, particularly with the introduction of new routes such as Surabaya–Balikpapan–Palu and Surabaya–Lembar–Waingapu–Kupang,” said Azis during a media gathering in Makassar on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
In addition to the new routes, Azis highlighted an expected uptick in passenger traffic from ports in Eastern Indonesia, including Makassar, Ambon, Jayapura, and various ports in Papua. There are also projections for increased international passenger traffic, particularly between Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as Indonesia and Singapore.
The peak of passenger traffic during the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year holidays is expected to occur from D-15 to D+15. The busiest days for sea transportation are anticipated to be December 20, 21, and 22, 2024, with the highest return flow expected on January 3, 4, and 5, 2025.
Makassar Port is expected to handle the largest number of passengers among all the ports managed by Pelindo Regional 4. Azis noted, “Every year, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays, Makassar Port experiences a significant surge in passengers. In fact, it consistently records the highest passenger traffic across Pelindo’s Eastern Indonesia ports.”
To accommodate the surge in travelers, Pelindo has taken several measures to enhance facilities. Azis explained that every year, the company upgrades passenger terminals, including improvements to waiting rooms, overnight waiting areas, health rooms, garbaratas, elevators, accessible toilets, children’s play areas, and wheelchair services. Additional facilities such as tents, chairs, and portable toilets will be provided in clean conditions throughout the Nataru period. Enhanced security features, including autogates and CCTV monitoring, will also be in place.
As part of its commitment to passenger comfort and safety, Pelindo is improving sterilization procedures at passenger terminals, including the installation of autogates at key terminals in Makassar, Balikpapan, Sorong, and Samarinda.
In addition to optimizing port infrastructure, Pelindo Regional 4 is working closely with various stakeholders to ensure smooth operations. “We are collaborating with the Port Authority, ship operators, local governments, the Port Health Office (KKP), and other relevant parties to ensure effective coordination and management during the holiday period,” Azis said.
Iwan Sjarifuddin, General Manager of Pelindo Regional 4 Makassar, emphasized the importance of thorough preparation to ensure a safe, comfortable, and smooth travel experience for passengers. “We encourage travelers to follow port regulations and to arrive early to avoid congestion,” he advised. Pelindo Regional 4 remains committed to delivering exceptional service and supporting the seamless flow of sea transportation during the 2024 Christmas and New Year holidays. “We hope this year’s holiday season will proceed smoothly, safely, and without significant disruptions,” said Iwan.