The state ferry operator prepares vessels and crews after transport ministry orders service resumption, restoring critical passenger and logistics links for remote island communities across East Nusa Tenggara
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) said it is ready to resume government-subsidized pioneer ferry services in East Nusa Tenggara after the Transportation Ministry instructed operators to restore services beginning Monday.
The directive was issued by Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi to the East Nusa Tenggara Class II Land Transportation Management Agency (BPTD), allowing ferry operations to restart after a temporary suspension earlier this month.
The move aims to restore transport links for remote and outer island communities that rely on ferry services for passenger travel, logistics and the distribution of essential goods.
ASDP President Director Heru Widodo said the company had begun coordinating with regulators to ensure services resume without delay.
“ASDP is ready to restart pioneer ferry services in accordance with the government’s directive,” Heru said. “We are preparing our vessels, crews and operational support so that communities can once again access safe, reliable and sustainable transportation.”
He said pioneer ferry routes play a critical role in connecting remote island communities and supporting economic activity and the movement of essential goods.
Ardhani Friandy, general manager of ASDP’s Kupang branch, said operations on several pioneer routes in East Nusa Tenggara had been suspended since July 1 following notification from the provincial Class II BPTD, which regulates the services.
Despite the suspension, ASDP continued coordinating with the Transportation Ministry, the regional BPTD and local governments to prepare for the resumption of operations, he said.
Services scheduled to resume include several routes operated by ASDP’s Kupang and Sape branches.
In Kupang branch, KMP Ile Mandiri will operate routes linking Larantuka, Solor, Lewoleba, Adonara, Baranusa, Bakalang and Kalabahi. KMP Ile Ape will serve routes connecting Kewapante, Palue, Marapokot, Pemana and Pulau Besar, while KMP Namparnos will operate between Kalabahi, Pulau Pura, Teluk Gurita and Maritaing.
KMP Uma Kalada, which serves the Raijua–Sabu and Waingapu–Raijua routes, will remain temporarily suspended because of adverse weather conditions.
At ASDP’s Sape branch, KMP Komodo will resume operations on the Labuan Bajo–Rinca Island route, while KMP Cucut will return to service on the Labuan Bajo–Waingapu route.
Ardhani said ASDP was ensuring all operational requirements—including vessel readiness, crew deployment and port support—meet regulatory standards before services restart.
ASDP, Indonesia’s state-owned ferry operator, said it would continue working with regulators and other stakeholders to maintain safe and reliable transport services while improving connectivity for communities across the country’s remote island regions.