T

he ferry crossing between Ciwandan Port in Banten and Panjang Port in Lampung — that was started in order to alleviate traffic at the main Sunda Strait crossing — is apparently not enough to overcome the serious transport delays between Java and Sumatra.

The new route began operating on Feb. 28, with two additional ferries catering especially to cargo trucks, but the congestion at Merak Port has continued.

The line of trucks is backed up dozens of kilometers. Truck drivers have been forced to fork out additional expenses because they have to spend the night at the port and businesses have incurred huge losses.

The congestion at Merak Port has been attributed to the limited number of ferries in operation. The two additional ferries serving the Ciwandan and Panjang ports — the Ganda Dewata and Kolibodri — are only able to carry 200 and 50 trucks on each crossing respectively.

Panjang Port is also less equipped to serve additional ferries because the additional activity would disrupt its export and import activities. The port can only serve a single ferry every day at Dock A.

“We can only give each ferry two hours of unloading and loading time so as not to disrupt the other activities at Panjang Port,” state-run port management company PT Pelindo Panjang branch general manager Zulasman said Thursday.

Besides the massive backup of trucks at Merak Port, another issue is the delay of goods exported from Panjang Port to other countries.

The flow of goods, vehicles and passengers at Panjang Port has become increasingly congested, especially due to the roads around the port that are full of potholes.

Zulasman said those using the services at Panjang Port, especially exporters, have complained about the disrupted distribution of goods and services.

He added that ships have to dock longer at the port due to longer loading and unloading times.

Businesses in Lampung have suffered losses of Rp 10 billion (US$1.14 million) on average every day due to the delays.

Indonesian Employers Association Lampung chapter head Yusuf Kohar said the delay of goods from Java to Sumatra and vice versa had caused serious problems and could threaten the nation’s economy.

“Bear in mind that the Bakauheni-Merak ferry crossing is the busiest in Indonesia and many businesses and people depend on the route for their livelihoods,” Kohar said.

According to Kohar, the losses were due to extra transportation expenses, waiting time and damaged goods.

“This is a recurrent issue and should have been anticipated. This congestion has repeatedly occurred. Many have complained about infrastructure impediments. The traffic at Bakauheni Port is the main problem and has been anticipated for a long time,” he said.

Kohar said the government should respond immediately to address the issue and stop blaming the limited number of ferries and bad weather for the delays.