PELNI Makassar Branch Operates 14 Vessels

PT PELNI (Persero) Makassar Branch has confirmed its readiness for the 2026 Eid al-Fitr transportation season by operating 14 vessels that will call at and serve passengers at Makassar Port.

Press Release
PT PELNI (Persero)
Number: 02.25/18/PR-KC/II/2026

Welcoming the 2026 Eid al-Fitr Transportation Season, PELNI Makassar Branch Operates 14 Vessels

Makassar, 25 February 2026 – PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia or PT PELNI (Persero) Makassar Branch has confirmed its readiness for the 2026 Eid al-Fitr transportation season by operating 14 vessels that will call at and serve passengers at Makassar Port.

Head of PELNI Makassar Branch, Darman, stated that various anticipatory measures have been taken to ensure smooth homecoming traffic.

“In preparation for the 2026 Eid al-Fitr transportation period, we have carried out intensive coordination with relevant stakeholders, particularly KSOP as the regulator and Pelindo as the passenger terminal service provider, to ensure the readiness of supporting facilities and infrastructure in the port area,” said Darman.

In addition to ensuring operational readiness, PELNI Makassar Branch is also supporting the economic stimulus program in the form of a 30 percent transportation fare discount from the base fare for all PELNI economy-class passenger ship routes.

“This transportation discount program is expected to help the public gain more affordable access to sea transportation during the Eid homecoming period,” he added.

PELNI Makassar Branch also ensures the readiness of ticket sales services, both online through digital platforms and via official counters at the PELNI Makassar Branch Office, to make it easier for the public to obtain travel tickets.

Based on ticket sales data for the homecoming flow period from 6 to 20 March 2026, a total of 7,393 tickets have been sold in Makassar, with the peak of the homecoming flow occurring on D-7 before Eid. The four most popular passenger destinations from Makassar are Surabaya, Bau-Bau, Ambon, and Bima.

According to PELNI’s passenger projection data for the 2026 Eid al-Fitr transportation period, Makassar is expected to be one of the busiest departure ports, with projected passenger numbers reaching 49,232 people. In addition, Makassar is also projected to be the second busiest arrival port, with an estimated 49,490 arriving passengers.

Darman added that the smooth operation of Eid transportation does not rely solely on operator readiness, but also requires synergy and collaboration from all parties.

“The smooth flow of Eid transportation requires strong synergy between PELNI, port stakeholders, and passengers. At the Makassar Branch, we are committed to providing the best protection and services for passengers, from the ticket purchasing process through to vessel departure,” he explained.

PELNI Makassar Branch also urges passengers to purchase tickets well in advance of departure and to continuously monitor vessel schedule updates through official digital platforms or branch offices.

“We also advise prospective passengers to arrive early at the port and bring complete identification documents to avoid any obstacles during the boarding pass exchange and embarkation process,” Darman concluded.

About PELNI

PELNI, as a State-Owned Enterprise operating in the shipping services sector, currently operates 25 passenger vessels serving 483 routes and calling at 75 ports.

In addition to passenger transportation, PELNI also operates 30 pioneer shipping routes that provide accessibility for population mobility in 3TP regions, where pioneer vessels call at 229 ports with a total of 516 legs and 2,515 routes. PELNI also operates 18 rede vessels. For logistics business services, PELNI currently operates 8 sea toll routes as well as one special route for livestock vessels.

Information and inquiries:
Nadya Nathasya Zahra
Corporate Communications Manager
PT PELNI (Persero)
Tel. +62 21 6334342 ext. 1310