Ferry traffic between Java and Sumatra has increased ahead of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr travel period, but crossings remain smooth and well managed, state ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) said.
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said port operations across the Java–Sumatra corridor were running normally despite the higher travel demand.
“Conditions at the ports remain smooth,” Dudy said, adding that trucks using the Bojonegara BBJ Port as well as travelers on motorcycles and cars departing from Merak and Ciwandan ports had not experienced congestion outside port areas.
Data from the Merak monitoring post showed that 41,702 passengers crossed from Java to Sumatra as of Monday (March 16) at 1200 WIB, five days before Eid travel (D-5). The figure was down 11.6% compared with 47,193 passengers recorded in the same period last year.
Vehicle crossings showed mixed trends. Motorcycles increased by 11.6%, while four-wheeled vehicles declined by 23.1%. Trucks fell by 23.4%, while buses rose 12.3%. Overall, 10,797 vehicles crossed the strait, compared with 12,220 units during the same period in 2025.
President Director of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Heru Widodo, said rising traffic ahead of Eid is a routine annual trend.
“The peak of the homecoming flow is predicted to occur on Wednesday (March 18) and Thursday (March 19),” Heru said. “We have prepared operational measures and strengthened coordination with stakeholders to ensure optimal ferry services.”
To manage traffic surges during the annual mudik homecoming period tied to Eid al-Fitr, ASDP has implemented a vehicle delaying system at several buffer zones. These include rest areas at KM43 and KM68, the JLS buffer zone in Merak, and rest areas at KM87B, KM67B, KM49B, KM33B, and KM20B. Additional holding points have been prepared at Gayam Terminal and the Gunung Jati River area in Bakauheni.
Authorities are also diverting certain vehicles to alternative ports to ease congestion. Logistics trucks classified as class 7, 8, and 9 traveling to Sumatra are being directed to Bojonegara BBJ Port.
“Even if Merak Port appears relatively quiet, those logistics vehicles will continue to use Bojonegara BBJ Port as agreed,” Dudy said.
ASDP and related agencies have deployed 1,185 personnel in Merak and 741 in Bakauheni to oversee traffic flow at buffer zones, highways and port areas. Operations are also coordinated through the Port Operation Control Center (POCC) to monitor traffic conditions in real time.
The company urged passengers to purchase ferry tickets through the official Ferizy booking system, which allows reservations up to 60 days before departure, and warned travelers not to buy tickets from scalpers.
Passenger Traffic Rising
Cumulative data from Merak Post covering Merak, Ciwandan and BBJ Bojonegara ports showed that 311,517 passengers traveled from Java to Sumatra between D-10 and D-5 before Eid, up 6.7% from 291,945 passengers recorded in the same period last year.
Vehicle crossings during the same period rose 6.9% to 72,629 units, compared with 67,593 units a year earlier.
Meanwhile, crossings from Sumatra to Java through Bakauheni, Wika Beton and BBJ Muara Pilu ports reached 191,988 passengers, up slightly from 190,711 in the same period last year.
Vehicle crossings on the Sumatra-to-Java route totaled 40,236 units, a 2.3% increase compared with 39,327 vehicles a year earlier.
“With all preparations in place and strong coordination among stakeholders, we hope travelers will experience safe, orderly and comfortable crossings,” Heru said.