Supporting Tourism, PELNI Adjusts Ship Schedules to Match Travelers’ Preferences to Banda

PT PELNI (Persero) has long served as the main mode of transportation for tourists and residents traveling to Banda Neira, Maluku Province.

Press Release
PT PELNI (Persero)
No: 10.20/75/PR.KC/X/2025

Supporting Tourism, PELNI Adjusts Ship Schedules to Match Travelers’ Preferences to Banda Neira

Ambon, October 20, 2025 – PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia or PT PELNI (Persero) has long served as the main mode of transportation for tourists and residents traveling to Banda Neira, Maluku Province. Currently, Banda Neira is served by three passenger vessels and one pioneer vessel.

PELNI Ambon Branch Head, Marthin Heryanto, detailed that the three PELNI ships calling at Banda Neira include KM Labobar with a capacity of 3,000 passengers, KM Pangrango (500 passengers), KM Sangiang (500 passengers), and the pioneer vessel KM Sabuk Nusantara 106 (400 passengers).

“To support Banda Neira’s tourism, PELNI ship schedules are arranged so that vessels arrive in Banda Neira in the morning. This allows tourists to rest comfortably onboard during the voyage and arrive refreshed, ready to start their activities early in the day,” said Marthin.

He further explained that tourists can conveniently use PELNI ships for their return journey after spending three to four days exploring Banda. Typically, PELNI ships sailing eastward will call at Banda on their way and return westward after three to four days.

“For example, KM Labobar, which departs from Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, takes five days to reach Banda Neira. After continuing to Fakfak, it returns to Banda four days later before sailing back toward Jakarta,” Marthin explained.

“During their three to four days in Banda Neira, visitors can explore the island’s historic spice heritage, enjoy marine activities such as snorkeling and diving, or hike through villages and hills to view the legendary Mount Banda,” he added.

Specifically for KM Pangrango, the 500-passenger vessel departs from Ambon every Friday afternoon and arrives in Banda on Saturday morning. “The ship docks overnight until Sunday afternoon, allowing tourists to stay one night onboard and return to Ambon on Sunday afternoon, arriving Monday morning,” said Marthin.

Marthin added that in 2024, a total of 49,529 passengers disembarked in Banda. Meanwhile, passenger arrivals in 2025 up to September have reached 42,200. “We project the number of tourists will continue to increase through the end of the year, driven by the upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday season,” he noted.

For tourists planning to visit Banda Neira, it is advisable to plan their PELNI voyage well in advance. Below are the routes of PELNI vessels serving Banda Neira, also known as the “Spice Island.”

KM Labobar Route:
Jakarta – Surabaya – Makassar – Baubau – Ambon – Banda – Tual – Dobo – Fakfak – Kaimana (round trip)

KM Pangrango Route:
Ambon – Namrole – Ambon – Banda – Saumlaki (round trip)

KM Sangiang Route:
Bitung – Ternate – Bacan – Sanana – Namlea – Ambon – Banda – Geser – Fakfak (round trip)

KM Sabuk Nusantara 106 Route:
Ambon – Banda – Geser – Gorom – Kesui – Teor – Pulau Kur – Tual (round trip)

PELNI passengers can conveniently purchase tickets through digital channels such as the PELNI Mobile application or PELNI’s official website. Tickets are also available via various banking applications including BCA Mobile (Lifestyle feature), Livin’ by Mandiri (Sukha), and BNI Agen46, as well as through retail networks like Indomaret and OMI Mitra Indomaret, Alfamart and Alfamidi, and travel partners such as 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 Mitra Indomaret, Alfamart and Alfamidi networks, iSaku, Finpay, and Fastpay.

About PELNI

As a State-Owned Enterprise engaged in maritime transportation services, PELNI currently operates 25 passenger vessels serving 511 segments across 1,359 routes and calling at 74 ports.

In addition to passenger services, PELNI operates 30 pioneer ship routes that provide accessibility for residents in the frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped regions (3TP), serving 230 ports across 522 segments. PELNI also operates 18 rede vessels. In its logistics business, PELNI currently manages 8 sea toll routes and one dedicated livestock vessel route.

For further information and inquiries, please contact:
Ditto Pappilanda
Corporate Communication Manager
PT PELNI (Persero)
Tel. +62 21 6334342 ext. 1310