Ahead of the 2025 Christmas and New Year (NATARU) holiday period, the government is strengthening sea transportation services for Natuna residents by adding one extra PELNI ship. This measure is taken to anticipate a significant surge in passenger numbers typically seen at the end of the year.
The additional ship is scheduled to operate from December 14, 2025, through the end of the month, serving routes to and from Natuna. Regent Cen Sui Lan stated that the deployment of this extra vessel is a strategic step to ensure that the public can travel safely and comfortably. She emphasized that Natuna’s sea transportation needs require special attention, considering its archipelagic nature and the high mobility of residents during the holiday season.
Alongside the seasonal vessel, the regular KM Bukit Raya—a mainstay for Natuna communities—will continue operating as usual. This ensures that during the 2025 NATARU period, the public will benefit from increased passenger capacity and greater travel flexibility.
The introduction of the additional ship is the result of intensive coordination between Regent Cen Sui Lan and the Ministry of Transportation. This effort reflects the regional government’s commitment to ensuring sufficient transportation infrastructure, especially during periods of heavy travel demand.
According to the official statement, the coordination aimed to prevent passenger overcrowding at ports and to avoid disruptions to logistics distribution across the islands. With the extra vessel in service, both passenger and cargo capacity are expected to increase significantly.
The Ministry of Transportation welcomed the initiative and praised the local government’s responsiveness to public needs. Continued collaboration between the central and regional governments is expected to further strengthen national transportation services, particularly in island regions like Natuna.
With the additional ship in operation and KM Bukit Raya maintaining its regular schedule, the government hopes that sea transportation during the 2025 NATARU period will run safely, smoothly, and efficiently. This policy serves as a testament to the state’s commitment to supporting public mobility and maintaining inter-regional connectivity in border areas. (Prokopim/Patli)
RILIS PERS, Number : 0560/PRO_KOPIM/2025
