STRAIGHTTIME.ASIA, KEPRI – The Riau Islands Provincial Government (Kepri) is accelerating efforts to strengthen inter-island connectivity through strategic maritime infrastructure development, with the construction of a second roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry berth at Tanjung Uban ASDP Port expected to significantly improve transportation efficiency and support regional economic growth.
The project, valued at Rp40 billion, is one of the province’s key transportation infrastructure initiatives in 2026 and is aimed at reducing vessel congestion while facilitating smoother passenger and vehicle movement between Tanjung Uban, Bintan, and Punggur, Batam—one of the busiest ferry routes in the province.
Head of the Riau Islands Transportation Agency, Junaidi, said the existing port currently operates only one Ro-Ro berth, forcing ferries to queue offshore before docking, particularly during weekends, public holidays, and peak travel seasons.
“This year, an additional berth will be constructed adjacent to the existing facility to improve the flow of passengers and vehicles,” Junaidi said on Tuesday.
The project has entered the procurement and tender phase, with groundbreaking scheduled for mid-2026. Construction is expected to take approximately six months, allowing the new berth to become operational before the Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027 holiday period, when passenger traffic traditionally reaches its annual peak.
According to Junaidi, the project is fully financed by PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, while the provincial Transportation Agency is responsible for supporting regulatory compliance, permits, and administrative processes.
Once completed, the second berth will allow two Ro-Ro vessels to dock simultaneously instead of waiting for one another, significantly improving operational efficiency.
“Currently, ferries often have to wait offshore before docking, causing delays. With two operational berths, loading and unloading of passengers and vehicles will become much faster,” he explained.
The additional berth is also expected to reduce congestion inside the port area, shorten waiting times for travelers, and enhance the overall reliability of ferry services along the Tanjung Uban–Batam crossing.
As an archipelagic province consisting of hundreds of islands, the Riau Islands depend heavily on maritime transportation to connect communities, facilitate trade, and support tourism. The Tanjung Uban–Punggur route serves as one of the province’s most vital transportation corridors, linking Bintan Island with Batam, Indonesia’s leading industrial and investment hub.
Regional officials believe the infrastructure expansion will strengthen logistics efficiency, improve supply chain performance, and create a more seamless transportation network that supports investment, tourism, and business activities across the province.
“The addition of this new berth forms part of the provincial government’s broader strategy to reinforce transportation infrastructure as the backbone of sustainable regional economic growth,” Junaidi said.
The project reflects Kepri’s continued commitment to modernizing its maritime infrastructure in line with Indonesia’s broader vision of enhancing connectivity across the nation’s island regions, ultimately creating a more competitive and resilient regional economy.
By : Iman Suryanto
