TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned ferry operator ASDP Indonesia Ferry expects the Eid homecoming to via sea transport to peak on June 22 and June 23, or two and three days before the Eid Holiday.

ASDP Indonesia Ferry Acting Corporate Secretary Kusnadi C Wijaya said that Eid travellers will pass through seven major sea transport lanes throughout the country: Merak-Bakauheni, Ketapang-Gilimanuk, Padangbai-Lembar, Kayangan-Pototano, Panajam-Kariangau, Bajoe-Kolaka and Tanjung Kelian-Tanjung Api-api.

“With good preparation and adequate capacity, we expect Eid homecoming via sea transport services to run smoothly and safely,” Kusnadi said today.

ASDP expects the number of sea transport passengers during Eid al-Fitr to reach 4.95 million people. They will be carried by 191 unit ro-ro vessels and 42 piers will be available.

Merak port is one of the major ports to serve Eid homecoming travellers considering that Merak-Bakauheni lane connecting Java and Sumatra is the nation’s busiest major sea lanes. Some 32 ships and 6 piers will operate during Eid al-Fitr.

The installed capacity of Merak port for passenger is 159,120 people (expected to reach 170,684 people during peak of Eid homecoming), for motorcycles is 27,200 units (expected to reach 22,601 units during peak of Eid homecoming) and for cars and buses is 17,544 units (expected to reach 17,177 units during peak of Eid homecoming).

The management has also improved the facility and services for users. The ASDP is hopeful that the services would be better and more impressive compared to last year.

AYU CIPTA