ASDP and East Nusa Tenggara officials agreed to accelerate studies for a long-distance ferry linking Java and NTT, aiming to improve logistics, connectivity and regional growth
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) and the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) provincial government have agreed to accelerate studies for a proposed long-distance ferry service linking Java and NTT, as they seek to improve logistics efficiency, strengthen supply chains and support economic development in eastern Indonesia.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting at ASDP headquarters on Monday attended by senior executives from the state-owned ferry operator, regional government officials and representatives from several regencies in East Nusa Tenggara.
The proposed Long Distance Ferry (LDF) service would connect Surabaya with Lembata and Belu, creating a direct roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) route intended to reduce cargo transit times and logistics costs while improving connectivity between Java and eastern Indonesia.
ASDP President Director Heru Widodo said the initiative was part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen national connectivity, particularly for Indonesia’s underdeveloped, frontier, outermost and border regions.
“Connectivity is not only about linking ports, but ensuring transport services deliver tangible economic benefits by improving logistics efficiency, supporting supply chains, expanding market access and facilitating the movement of goods,” Heru said.
ASDP said its preliminary study indicates that East Nusa Tenggara offers strong potential for the route, supported by steady economic growth, rising demand for cargo distribution from Java and export opportunities for regional commodities including livestock, fisheries products, seaweed, salt and plantation products.
The company said those commodities could provide return cargo for vessels travelling back to Java, helping reduce empty sailings and supporting a more balanced two-way logistics network.
A direct Ro-Ro connection is also expected to shorten delivery times by eliminating transshipment, improve schedule reliability, reduce the risk of cargo damage and strengthen interregional supply chains, ASDP said.
However, both ASDP and regional officials agreed that the project requires more comprehensive studies before implementation. The next phase will assess operational feasibility, cargo volumes, logistics ecosystem readiness and the long-term sustainability of the service.
Lembata Regent Petrus Kanisius Tuaq said sustainable cargo volumes in both directions would be essential to the project’s success.
“The priority is ensuring sufficient cargo for outbound and return voyages so the service can operate sustainably. Reliable sea transportation is vital for an archipelagic region such as East Nusa Tenggara,” he said.
ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale said the success of the proposed corridor would depend on close cooperation between government, the ferry operator and businesses.
“Regional governments play an important role in developing the business ecosystem and supporting infrastructure, ASDP provides reliable services, while business actors contribute cargo certainty to create a sustainable logistics corridor,” she said.
ASDP said the proposed Java-NTT long-distance ferry remains at the study stage, with implementation subject to the outcome of further technical and commercial assessments. If developed, the route is expected to improve inter-island connectivity, enhance logistics efficiency, expand market access for regional commodities and support more balanced economic development across eastern Indonesia.