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View all search resultsBatam ferries cut Singapore trips amid soaring fuel prices
Despite fewer crossings, Batam is experiencing a surge in Singaporean visitors, who are flocking to the island to stock up on groceries and everyday goods as prices back home continue to climb.
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Passengers queue at a Majestic Fast Ferry booth to buy ferry tickets heading to Malaysia and Singapore at Batam Center International Ferry Terminal in Batam, Riau Islands, on March13, 2026. Ferry operators have added a fuel surcharge for routes to Singapore following the United States-Israeli war on Iran (JP/Fadli)
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urging fuel costs as a result of the United States-Israeli war on Iran have forced a cutback in ferry services between Batam, Riau Islands, and neighboring Singapore. Yet despite fewer crossings, Batam is experiencing a surge in Singaporean visitors, who are flocking to the island to stock up on groceries and everyday goods as prices back home continue to climb.
At the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal, Diana, a reservation officer for Majestic Fast Ferry, said the operator had scaled down its daily Batam-HarbourFront trips from 16 to 12, while services to Tanah Merah have been reduced from nine to four.
“The reductions were implemented to manage fuel costs," Diana told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Other operators have taken similar measures. Batam Fast, one of the major ferry providers on the route, has reportedly cut its services by about 40 percent.
Nova, a reservation officer at Batam Fast, confirmed the reductions, adding that the company had sought to minimize disruption by coordinating with partner operators.
“We are working closely with other ferry operators. Routes that we suspend are reassigned to our partners to ensure passengers can still travel,” Nova said.
Read also: Govt doubles down on fuel subsidies, cuts airfare VAT
