HEADLINE: ASDP Strengthens Maritime Connectivity in Kepri through the Transformation of Tanjung Uban Port
SUMMARY: PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) is developing Tanjung Uban Port in Bintan Regency as a strategic maritime connectivity center in Riau Islands. This project increases passenger and vehicle capacity, accelerates logistics flow, strengthens tourism, and supports local economic growth โ while realizing the vision of an inclusive national maritime connectivity.
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The sound of ferry horns echoed at the dock of Tanjung Uban Port, Bintan Regency, that morning. Passengers disembarked in droves, some carrying suitcases, others bringing shopping baskets from Batam. At the ticket counter, long queues formed โ not only for Bintan residents, but also fishermen from Mapur Island, traders from Mantang Island, and foreign tourists arriving from Singapore. This port is not just a docking point; it is a real inter-island connector for thousands of people every day.
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) is now strengthening the role of Tanjung Uban Port as a main hub of the Riau Islands maritime network. The development in Bintan Utara District is part of the company's commitment to improve the reliability of ferry services, accelerate goods distribution, and expand economic accessibility for island communities.
Strategic Gateway to the Economic Center of Kepri
Tanjung Uban Port is in a key position: the main route from Bintan Island to Batam, Tanjung Pinang, and surrounding small islands. With the addition of piers, expansion of waiting areas, and adjustment of sailing schedules, the daily capacity of the port has increased by up to 35 percent compared to last year. According to internal ASDP data, the number of passengers traveling between Tanjung Uban and Batam has increased by an average of 12.4 percent per year since 2022 โ a trend aligned with the surge in tourist visits to Bintan and the growth of the manufacturing industry in Batam.
"We focus on simultaneously improving physical capacity and service quality," said a statement from ASDP quoted by Republika. Improvements include strengthening pier structures, adding parking spaces for four-wheeled vehicles, and reorganizing passenger entry and exit routes to reduce congestion during peak hours.
Real Boost for Local Tourism and Logistics
Bintan has more than 20 five-star resorts and dozens of white-sand beaches, yet unstable sea access has limited its potential for visits. With the current frequency of ferries reaching 42 trips per day โ up from 28 trips in 2021 โ the average waiting time has dropped from 90 minutes to 25 minutes. Tourists from Singapore via Bandar Seraya can now arrive at Tanjung Uban within less than two hours.
The logistics sector has also been boosted. This port has become the main distribution route for rice, cement, fertilizer, and fisheries products from Bintan to remote islands such as Lingga and Karimun. The average cost of transporting goods to remote areas has decreased by 18 percent since early 2024, thanks to improved efficiency in loading and unloading and stricter ship scheduling.
Part of the National Maritime Connectivity Plan
The transformation of Tanjung Uban aligns with the National Transportation Master Plan and Phase III of the Sea Toll Program. As a province with 2,408 islands, Kepri heavily relies on the reliability of maritime transport โ not only for mobility, but also for price equity, healthcare services, and educational access. The development of this port is not just a regular infrastructure project; it is an investment in the resilience of the archipelagic region.
ASDP is currently testing the integration of an electronic ticketing system based on QR codes and real-time ship tracking through the official application. The trial started in April 2024 and will be expanded across all Kepri routes by the end of the year. This system allows users to monitor the position of ships, estimated arrival times, and seat availability โ without having to arrive at the port earlier.
Support from Bintan Regency Government has been consistent. The Bintan Regent called this project "a harbor-based economic driver" and has allocated additional land for the development of an integrated commercial zone around the port. So far, more than 170 local workers have been directly absorbed โ from security officers, ticket operators, to street vendors who have received official business permits in the port area.
More Than Just a Port: A Symbol of Fair Access
Housewives like Siti, a resident of Teluk Bakau Village, can now shop at Batam markets twice a week without worrying about running out of tickets. Fishermen from Berhala Island report a reduction in the waiting time for fresh fish delivery to Tanjung Pinang market from 6 hours to 2.5 hours. Although technical challenges such as sedimentation at the river mouth and limitations due to the west monsoon season still exist, the increase in capacity and inter-agency coordination have reduced operational disruptions by 40 percent since 2023.
Tanjung Uban Port proves that maritime infrastructure development does not have to start from big cities. In a corner of Bintan, a port that was once served by only two ferries per day is now a concrete example of how reliable connectivity can change daily life โ not through promises, but through accurate schedules, sturdy piers, and reliable tickets.