ASDP Halts Long-Distance NTT Ferry Routes After BMKG High-Wave Alert

Kupang — Ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry’s Kupang branch temporarily suspended several long-distance routes in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) from Monday, 2 March to Thursday, 5 March 2026 due to rough seas, following warnings of high waves from the meteorology agency BMKG and sailing advisories from the Kupang harbormaster’s office.

ASDP’s Kupang office said ferry sailings were halted on the Kupang–Larantuka, Kupang–Lembata, Kupang–Kalabahi and Kupang–Rote routes, which cross open waters exposed to high waves. The suspension applied to services operated by ASDP’s Kupang branch and was described as a temporary measure for safety while weather conditions were monitored.

According to ASDP Kupang business manager Ramlan Iyang, the decision took effect on Monday, 2 March and was scheduled to remain in place until Thursday, 5 March 2026. He said ferry services on those routes would resume once conditions improved and authorities lifted sailing restrictions.

Operational status and affected routes

ASDP categorised the suspended routes as longer crossings considered more vulnerable to high waves, including the links from Kupang to Larantuka in East Flores, Lembata, Kalabahi in Alor and Rote. These routes were described as long-distance sailings that pass through waters with a higher risk of rough seas.

Local coverage did not consistently state whether the shorter Kupang–Hansisi route to Semau Island continued operating during the early March suspension period, and some later reports on different weather events in July 2026 described cancellations on that route. Travellers are therefore advised to check the latest status of all routes with ASDP or port authorities before travelling.

Passengers whose journeys depended on the four suspended routes were urged to delay their travel plans until after 5 March and to seek updated confirmation of sailing schedules from ASDP offices or port information desks. Detailed arrangements for rebooking, refunds or ticket transfers were not set out in the reports from ASDP and local media.

Harbormaster advisory

The Class III Harbormaster’s Office (KSOP) in Kupang issued an advisory letter with the reference number UM.006/114/KSOP Kupang-2026 addressed to ship operators, captains, passengers and vessel owners. ASDP said the harbormaster’s notice urged captains and passengers to postpone sea travel for several days and to wait until weather conditions improved before resuming sailings.

For larger vessels assessed as still safe to operate, the advisory called on operators and captains to ensure that all regulatory sailing requirements were met. These included submitting a written captain’s declaration, checking weather forecasts at least six hours before applying for a Sailing Approval Letter (Surat Persetujuan Berlayar, SPB), and verifying that safety equipment on board was available, properly installed and sufficient for the number of passengers carried.

BMKG warning and sea conditions

BMKG’s Tenau Kupang Maritime Meteorological Station issued an early warning for high waves in waters around NTT covering the same period, from Monday, 2 March through Thursday, 5 March 2026. The agency reported that waves of 2.5 to 4.0 metres were likely in several key shipping areas used by ferries, cargo vessels and fishing boats.

According to BMKG, areas at risk of waves in the 2.5 to 4.0 metre range included the southern part of the Sape Strait, southern Flores waters, southern Alor–Pantar waters, the western Sumba Strait, the Sawu Sea, the Ombai Strait, southern Sumba waters, and waters north and south of Sabu–Raijua. The warning also covered waters north of Timor, north of Kupang–Rote and south of Timor–Rote.

BMKG Kupang urged shipping companies, logistics operators and fishers to remain alert to the wave conditions and to prioritise safety when planning voyages. The agency’s guidance provided the meteorological basis for the temporary suspension of ASDP’s long-distance ferry services from Kupang during the first week of March.

Sources

• Media Indonesia – ASDP Hentikan Sementara Sejumlah Rute Pelayaran di NTT Akibat Cuaca Buruk
• Katakini – Cuaca Buruk, ASDP Hentikan Sementara Rute Pelayaran di NTT
• Metro TV – Waspada! BMKG Keluarkan Peringatan Gelombang Tinggi Hingga 4 Meter di Perairan NTT
• Detik Bali/Nusra – Cuaca Buruk, Pelayaran Ferry di NTT Ditunda hingga 5 Maret