JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 13 2026 (Bernama) – The proposed Batam-Johor international Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry service connecting Bintang 99 Persada Port in Batam and Tanjung Belungkor in Pengerang, Johor is expected to commence operations by the middle of next year.
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Director of Operations and Transformation Rio Theodore Natalianto Lasse said preparations are currently underway, with the Batam port ready for operations while additional facilities are still required at Tanjung Belungkor before Ro-Ro vessels can berth there.
He said ASDP expects the vessels earmarked for the route to be ready this year, while discussions involving port operators and investors are ongoing.
“If everything on the business side is ready next year, hopefully by the middle of next year we can start. However, it all depends on government regulations,” he told Bernama after a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the Batam-Johor Bahru International Ro-Ro Shipping Route here today.
Also present was Indonesian Consul General in Johor Bahru, Sigit S. Widiyanto.
Rio said the proposed cross-border service would require approvals from both Malaysia and Indonesia, including permits issued by the respective transport ministries.
He said discussions have been held with the Malaysian government, including the Transport Ministry and the Johor government, with positive feedback received on the proposed connectivity.
“The message is positive. The spirit is there to make this connectivity happen, but translating that into an action plan is quite challenging. ASDP is also pursuing this and encouraging the Malaysian side to accelerate the process,” he said.
Rio said Tanjung Belungkor was selected due to its proximity to Batam as well as its existing infrastructure, which he estimated to be about 80 to 90 per cent ready.
He said the facility, built in 2002, remained underutilised, presenting an opportunity for its existing infrastructure to be tapped for the proposed service.
The Ro-Ro journey between Batam and Tanjung Belungkor is expected to take about two hours or 27 nautical miles which Rio described as the shortest route available for the proposed connection.
On capacity, he said ASDP has several vessels that could be deployed depending on market demand, with larger vessels capable of accommodating up to 200 trucks per sailing.
However, he said initial indications from the Batam side showed demand of fewer than 50 trucks, allowing ASDP to adjust the size of the vessel deployed accordingly.
“The important thing is also the backhaul cargo. We need to make sure that the ship does not return empty,” he said adding that various types of cargo could be transported on the route, with trucks expected to account for the bulk of vehicle movements.
He said the direct connection is expected to facilitate smoother cargo movement between Batam and Johor due to the shorter distance, while also potentially boosting passenger movements and tourism.
The service could also create greater trade opportunities by providing a direct channel for products from Batam to Johor and vice versa.
“The positive impact will be significant with the opening of this Ro-Ro ferry service. What we need to do now is break the barriers and overcome the challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile Sigit said the proposed Ro-Ro service would be more than merely a transport connection, as it could create a direct link between two growing economic centres in Johor and Batam.
He said although Johor and Batam are geographically close, there remains significant potential to further strengthen economic linkages between the two areas and the proposed route, he said, could facilitate more direct and efficient movement of vehicles and goods, while strengthening cross-border logistics networks, businesses and market connectivity.
The FGD was organised by PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Johor Bahru to gather views from business stakeholders on market potential, logistics requirements, operational considerations and commercial opportunities for the proposed route.
— BERNAMA
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