Passenger Numbers Decline After Peak Homecoming Season, PELNI Prepares for Return Flow

PT PELNI (Persero) has reported a decline in the number of passengers traveling aboard PELNI ships following the peak of the Eid homecoming season on March 26, 2025.

Press Release
PT PELNI (Persero)
No: 03.27/33/PR/III/2025

Passenger Numbers Decline After Peak Homecoming Season, PELNI Prepares for Return Flow

Jakarta, March 27, 2025 – PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia or PT PELNI (Persero) has reported a decline in the number of passengers traveling aboard PELNI ships following the peak of the Eid homecoming season on March 26, 2025. As of March 27, 2025 at 07:00 WIB, the number of passengers served today dropped by 10,000 compared to the peak figures from the previous day.

On March 26, 2025, the peak of the homecoming season, PELNI served a total of 25,996 passengers, consisting of 23,645 on passenger ships and 2,351 on pioneer ships. However, on March 27, preliminary data shows a decrease to 15,464 passengers, representing a 40.51% drop from the peak.

PELNI Corporate Secretary Evan Eryanto stated that this decline marks the end of the homecoming peak period, and departure activities are beginning to stabilize. “This decrease is normal after the homecoming peak, and we are now preparing to anticipate the return flow in the coming days,” said Evan.

Although the peak has passed, PELNI continues to ensure operational readiness by keeping ship schedules on track and maintaining onboard facilities to meet passengers’ needs during their Eid journey.

Evan also encouraged the public who are still planning to travel after the peak season to use official channels such as the PELNI Mobile app or the official PELNI website to book tickets and check ship schedules. “We also remind passengers to arrive early at the port and bring proper identification matching the traveler's name. We are closely monitoring conditions in the field and ensuring our fleet is ready to serve the public during both the homecoming and return flows of Eid,” Evan added.

PELNI continues to collaborate and coordinate with port authorities and related stakeholders to ensure smooth embarkation and disembarkation processes, in support of a safe and pleasant travel experience.
“We deeply appreciate the trust of our passengers and the support of local governments, the military (TNI), police (Polri), and port authorities in helping to ensure our smooth operations,” Evan concluded.

From March 16 to 27, 2025, the ports with the highest number of passenger departures were:

1. Makassar Port – 31,762

2. Balikpapan – 28,995

3. Batam – 25,631

4. Ambon – 20,160

5. Kumai – 17,831

Meanwhile, the five busiest arrival ports were:

1. Surabaya – 48,942

2. Makassar – 31,618

3. Bau-Bau – 25,299

4. Belawan – 21,996

5. Ambon – 17,678

As of March 27, the five busiest routes served by PELNI were:

1. Batam – Belawan (19,392)

2. Belawan – Batam (13,352)

3. Balikpapan – Surabaya (13,126)

4. Kumai – Semarang (10,384)

5. Makassar – Surabaya (8,628)

To deliver a calm and enjoyable homecoming experience as encouraged by the Government and the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), PELNI passengers can use digital platforms like the PELNI Mobile app or the official website.

PELNI tickets are also available via various banking applications such as BCA Mobile’s Lifestyle feature, Sukha Livin Mandiri, BNI agen46, and BRImo, as well as Indomaret and OMI partners, Alfamart and Alfamidi networks, ATA Tour, Fastpay, easybook.com, via.com, MMBC, Darmawisata Indonesia, Versa, and Topindo.

For payments, PELNI collaborates with Bank BTN, BRIVA, BNI Virtual Account, Permata Bank, Mandiri Virtual Account, Indomaret and OMI partner networks, Alfamart and Alfamidi, iSaku, Finpay, and Fastpay.

About PELNI
PELNI, a State-Owned Enterprise in maritime transportation services, currently operates 25 passenger ships serving 511 segments across 1,359 routes and making stops at 74 ports.

In addition to passenger services, PELNI operates 30 pioneer ship routes that provide vital access for residents in underdeveloped, remote, outermost, and border (3TP) regions. These routes stop at 230 ports across 522 segments. PELNI also operates 18 rede ships. For logistics, the company runs 8 sea toll routes and 1 dedicated livestock ship route.

For information and inquiries, please contact:
Ditto Pappilanda
Corporate Communications Manager
PT PELNI (Persero)
Phone: +62 21 - 6334342 ext 13106