Pelni

Indonesian maritime transport company
  • Tri Andayani, President Director
  • Ali Masykur Musa, President Commissioner
RevenueIncrease IDR 4.59 Trillion (2018)Decrease IDR 75.1 Billion (2018)
Net income
Decrease IDR 204.2 Billion (2018)Total assetsIncrease IDR 6.56 Trillion (2018)Total equityIncrease IDR 5.89 Trillion (2018)OwnerGovernment of Indonesia
Number of employees
4,379 (2018)Subsidiaries
  • PT Sarana Bandar Nusantara
  • PT Pelita Indonesia Djaya Corporation
  • Rumah Sakit PELNI
Websitewww.pelni.co.id
Pelni ship KM Dorolonda at port of Pantoloan, Palu, Central Sulawesi
Dinner time onboard

Pelni (abbreviation of Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia, lit.'Indonesian National Shipping') is the national cargo and passenger shipping company of Indonesia. Its services network spans across the Indonesian archipelago. Mainly serving as connector between bigger cities and to remote islands, Pelni plays an important role in the Indonesian transport system.[1]

Pelni is one of the few remaining economy-class long-distance passenger ship operators. Most of the world's well-known passenger ship companies have stopped their low-budget passenger services since the 1960s due to shifting trends towards air transport. Pelni's ability to survive is mostly due to monopolies on certain routes and government of Indonesia subsidies.

History

Food Rationing Card issued by Pelni in 1965

Under the Dutch colonial rule, Indonesian inter-islands transportation was dominated by Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij (KPM), founded in 1888. KPM headquarter was in Amsterdam, but daily operations were controlled from Batavia, Dutch East Indies (now Jakarta).

As a newly independent republic in the late 1940s, Indonesian government decided to nationalize Dutch-owned companies. The Dutch refused to give away KPM, due to its strong position as a connector of the Indonesian archipelago. KPM also played an important role in transporting Dutch logistics and military supplies during the Indonesian National Revolution.

In response to Dutch refusal, on September 5, 1950, Indonesia founded PEPUSKA (Yayasan Penguasaan Pusat Kapal-kapal, Centrally-controlled Ships Foundation) that operates 8 ships with a total size of 4.800 Deadweight tonnage. However, due to a lack of experience and capital, PEPUSKA failed to takeover KPM's monopoly.

On April 28, 1952, PEPUSKA was dissolved. Pelni (now as a company, not a foundation) was founded on the same day, with the same fleet. To bring more power, Indonesian Eximbank provided funding to buy 45 new coaster ships from western European countries. While waiting for these new ships to be produced, Pelni rented various ships from many countries across the world. Pelni also used ships looted from Japan in World War 2.[2] These strategies proved successful, as KPM suffered from declining market share and strike workers led by Sukarno's leftist doctrine. KPM discontinued its Indonesian operation on December 3, 1957.[3]

Pelni achieved its golden era during the early 1980s to late 1990s. Under Suharto’s presidency with his Transmigration program, Pelni was the main transport to move people from Java and Sumatra to eastern regions of Indonesia, because air transport facilities were still underdeveloped.[4]

Pelni started to suffer in the 2000s, as air travel became cheaper.[5] Some of its old ships even failed to sell to third parties, and maintaining these ships was expensive. KM Kambuna (renamed KRI Tanjung Nusanive (973)) and KM Rinjani (renamed KRI Tanjung Fatagar (974)) was granted to the Indonesian Navy in 2004.[6] KM Kerinci was sold in 2014.[7] KFC Jetliner was rented to the Sri Lankan Navy between 2009 and 2012.[8] As of 2017, no party is interested to buy KM Ganda Dewata (Ro-ro ship) even as scrap.[9]

Pelni started to reform its services and management since 2012, by focusing more on tourism and cargo market, alongside improving its current low-budget passenger services. Pelni began to book positive earnings since 2014.[10]

Ships and services

Passenger ships

Pelni's passenger ships are also a major branding feature of Pelni: large yellow funnel with red-and-white strips and Pelni logo.[11] Pelni painted its ships with white color on the upper side of ships and crimson on the lower side. Its reddish lifeboats are also easily recognised from distances.

Most of these passenger ships (excluding KM Egon, KM Ganda Dewata & KFC Jetliner) were built by Meyer Werft, a major German shipyard well known as luxury passenger ships builder.[12] Due to this, some considered Pelni's ships 'too good' by Indonesian standards, even after designed & built as economy-class passenger ships by default.[13] As of August 12, 2017, no Meyer-built Pelni ship has ever sunk. However, these high-standard ships were not enjoyed by passengers, especially prior to 2014, because of harsh treatment by passengers and the crew itself. Most of the problems come from illegal passengers, which at least until April 24, 2019 are still frequently found.[14]

Since 2014 onwards, some improvements have been made. Online booking was made available, but still limited to payment via Bank Rakyat Indonesia's ATM and Indomaret store. Credit card payment is still not possible. Toilet facilities were improved, and 2-pin electric sockets were installed. GSM & GPRS networks on Pelni ships are provided by telkomsel. However, passenger management is still troublesome, mainly because most of Indonesian seaport's passenger terminals (operated by Indonesia Port Corporations) are not sterile from illegal visitors.[15]

KM Dorolonda while unloading cargo & Passenger at port of Bitung

Below is a list of Pelni's Passenger Ships. All of these ships (excluding KFC Jetliner) were named after mountains in Indonesia. KM Tatamailau however, is named after Mt. Tatamailau in East Timor. KM is an abbreviation of 'Kapal Mesin', meaning Motor Vessel (MV) and KFC is an abbreviation of 'Kapal Ferry Cepat', meaning Fast Ferry Ship.

Ship name Build date Passenger capacity Route (As of November 2022)
KM Awu 1991 969
KM Bukit Raya 1994 970 Jakarta > Belinyu > Kijang > Letung (Jemaja Island) > Tarempa > Natuna > Midan > Serasan > Pontianak
KM Bukit Siguntang 1995 2003
KM Ciremai 1991 1973 Jakarta > Surabaya > Makassar > Bau-Bau > Sorong > Manokwari > Biak > Jayapura
KM Dobonsolo 1993 1974 Jakarta > Surabaya > Makassar > Bau-Bau > Ambon > Sorong > Serui > Jayapura
KM Dorolonda 2001 Bitung > Ternate > Ambon > Namlea > Bau-Bau > Makassar > Surabaya > Jakarta > Kijang
KM Egon 1991 520
KM Gunung Dempo 2006 1583 Jakarta > Surabaya > Makassar > Sorong > Manokwari > Nabire > Jayapura
KM Kelimutu 1985 920
KM Kelud 1998 1906 Jakarta > Batam > Karimun > Belawan
KM Lawit 1986 920
KM Leuser 1994 970 Surabaya > Benoa > Sape > Labuan Bajo > Makassar > Bau-Bau > Wanci > Namrole > Ambon > Banda Naira > Saumlaki > Larat Island > Tual > Dobo > Timika > Agats > Merauke
KM Lambelu 1996 2003
KM Labobar 2004 3084 Surabaya > Balikpapan > Pantoloan > Amurang > Bitung > Ternate > Sorong > Manokwari > Nabire > Serui > Jayapura
KM Nggapulu 2001 2130 Jakarta - Surabaya - Makassar - Baubau - Ambon - Banda Neira - Tual - Dobo - Kaimana - Fakfak
KM Pangrango 1996 496 Ambon - Banda Neira - Namrole - Saumlaki - Tepa - Moa - Kisar
KM Sirimau ? 969
KM Sinabung 1997 1906 Surabaya > Makassar > Bau-Bau > Banggai Island > Bitung > Ternate > Babang > Sorong > Manokwari > Biak > Jayapura
KM Sangiang 1997 510
KM Tilongkabila 1994 970 Bitung > Gorontalo > Luwuk > Kolonodale > Kendari > Raha > Bau-Bau > Makassar > Labuan Bajo > Bima > Lembar > Benoa
KM Tatamailau 1990 969 Bitung > Tidore > Babang > Sorong > Fak-Fak > Kaimana > Tual > Timika > Agats > Merauke
KM Tidar 1987 1904 Makassar > Bau-Bau > Namrole > Ambon > Tual > Dobo > Kaimana > Fak-Fak > Sorong > Manokwari > Nabire
KM Umsini 1985 1737
KM Wilis 1999 500 Batulicin > Makassar > Bima > Labuan Bajo > Kalabahi > Kupang
KFC Jetliner 1996 550 Kendari > Raha > Baubau > Wanci

Facilities

  • One single bed per passenger, but shared space with others and no barriers between beds.
  • 2-pin electric plugs per bed (low voltage, for mobile phones only)
  • Shared bathrooms & toilets with hot and cold water
  • Three standard meals a day
  • Hot water for making drinks
  • Musalla
  • Cafeteria
  • Shop
  • Smoking area
  • GSM and GPRS network by Telkomsel
  • Clinic
Facilities (KM Kelud only)

KM Kelud (serving Jakarta-Batam-Tanjung Balai Karimun-Medan) is the ship with most complete facilities:

KM Kelud also provides first- and 2nd-class service in addition to economy-class services, with double bedroom and four single-bedroom options, with television and better food menus.

However, not all of those facilities are always available. Some passengers wrote that access to some of those, such as mini-cinema and gym were blocked by the crew.[16] Some facilities, especially the toilets, are in poor condition.[17] The ships are also often overcrowded by illegal passengers, especially after embarking from smaller ports where security is lax.[18]

Tourism services

Pelni's Shipping Routes, 2006

In addition to regular passenger routes, Pelni provides tourism packages to various islands. Pelni introduces live-on-board concept, where Pelni ships will pick up passengers in hub ports (such as Semarang or Sorong), sail to destined tourist attraction, stay there as 'floating hotel' while passengers enjoying the tourism packages in nearby islands, and then return to hub port. For 2017, the tourism packages are:[19]

On 23 June 2019, Pelni launched a new tourism service with KLM (Kapal Layar Mesin/Motor Sail Ship) Pelita Arunika, a pinisi ship. Built by a traditional shipbuilder in Tanjung Bira, South Sulawesi, it serves tourists in Labuan Bajo.[20]

Cargo ships[21]

  • KM Caraka Jaya Niaga III-4
  • KM Caraka Jaya Niaga III-2
  • KM Caraka Jaya Niaga III-32
  • KM Logistik Nusantara 1
  • KM Logistik Nusantara 2
  • KM Logistik Nusantara 3
  • KM Logistik Nusantara 4
  • KM Logistik Nusantara 5

Other ships

KM Sabuk Nusantara 46, one of kapal perintis (pioneer ship) operated by Pelni, serving Sunda Kelapa-Thousand Islands (Indonesia)

Tol Laut ships[22]

Tol Laut (literally "Sea Toll (Road)" or "Sea Highway") is a maritime program by President Joko Widodo to improve the Indonesian logistic system through providing routine and subsidized cargo sailing across Indonesia. As of 2019, Pelni operated 7 cargo ships for this purpose.[21]

Cattle ship[22][23]

Pelni operated one cattle ship, KM Camara Nusantara I, to transport cattle produced by farmers in Lesser Sunda Islands to Java.

Perintis ships[21]

Perintis (pioneer) services are routes served by smaller ships (below 500 passengers) connecting smaller islands to regional cities. these services are subsidized by the Government of Indonesia. It is intended to increase accessibility and decrease logistic cost among small islands. These routes are less regular than those served by the main passenger ships, thus online ticket booking is not available. Tickets can be bought at the port of departure or its nearest branch offices. Perintis schedules can also be accessed through Pelni call center and social media upon request.[24] As of 2019, Pelni owned and operated 53 perintis ships, serving 46 routes.[21]

International Routes

During the Indonesian occupation of East Timor, Pelni served the port of Dili,[25] which stopped after 1999. In 2000, Pelni also served the Bitung-Davao (Philippines) route for a short period.[26]

Incidents and accidents

Gallery

  • Map of KM Dorolonda
    Map of KM Dorolonda
  • Gyro Stabilized Antenna by Telkom Indonesia in KM Dorolonda. Now every Pelni Ships provided GSM and GPRS network by Telkom's subsidiaries, Telkomsel
    Gyro Stabilized Antenna by Telkom Indonesia in KM Dorolonda. Now every Pelni Ships provided GSM and GPRS network by Telkom's subsidiaries, Telkomsel
  • Passenger selling various foods during KM Dorolonda sailing from Sorong to Ternate. Things like this still happens when the ships visit small harbor with lack of security enforcement.
    Passenger selling various foods during KM Dorolonda sailing from Sorong to Ternate. Things like this still happens when the ships visit small harbor with lack of security enforcement.
  • KM Gunung Dempo unloading cargo and passenger at port of Ambon.
    KM Gunung Dempo unloading cargo and passenger at port of Ambon.
  • Breakfast menu at KM Gunung Dempo
    Breakfast menu at KM Gunung Dempo
  • Pelni's ship being used to transport Javanese people to Papua by New Order's controversial Transmigration Program

References

  1. ^ Nasional Indonesia, Pelayaran (March 21, 2016). "Profil Perusahaan". Situs Resmi PT. Pelni. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  2. ^ "Situs Resmi PT.PELNI (Persero) -". www.pelni.co.id. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  3. ^ Swiggum, Sue. "Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij 1888-1967". www.theshipslist.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  4. ^ Taufik. "PT. PELNI OPERASIKAN KAPAL TIDAK SESUAI PERUNTUKANNYA". intelijenpost.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  5. ^ "Upaya Pelni Keluar dari Kubangan Kehancuran | SWA.co.id". SWA.co.id. 2004-12-09. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  6. ^ "KRI Tanjung Nusanive 973: eks Kapal Pelni dengan Kanon PSU Rheinmetall 20mm – Indomiliter.com". www.indomiliter.com. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  7. ^ "Pelni Jual KM Kerinci Rp26,5 Miliar". SINDOnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  8. ^ "5 Fakta Mengenai KFC Jetliner Rute Labuan Bajo - Makassar". Phinemo. 2016-08-02. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  9. ^ DotNet, Terupdate. "Jadwal Kapal Sinabung Terbaru". Terupdate. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  10. ^ "Makin Kinclong, Pelni 2014 Raup Laba Rp4,3 miliar". Berita Trans. 2015-02-24. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  11. ^ "Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  12. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: MEYER WERFT - Passenger ships for Indonesia. YouTube.
  13. ^ "Pelni Kaji Pengadaan Kapal Buatan Jerman".
  14. ^ https://www.bisnis-papua.com/pelni-akui-masih-temukan-penumpang-ilegal/
  15. ^ "Transformasi Bisnis Pelni - Warta Ekonomi". wartaekonomi.co.id. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  16. ^ "perjalanan dengan km kelud – rosegevariel". rosegevariel.wordpress.com. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  17. ^ "Dharmaningtyas: Pelayanan Kapal Pelni Masih Memprihatinkan". Berita Trans. 2016-08-14. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  18. ^ Media, Kompas Cyber. "Muatan Kapal Lebihi Kapasitas, Ratusan Penumpang di Makassar Terpaksa Diturunkan - Kompas.com". KOMPAS.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  19. ^ "Pelni Tawarkan Paket Destinasi Menarik di 2017 | Pesona Indonesia". pesona.indonesia.travel. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  20. ^ "PT. Pelni (Persero) Luncurkan KLM Pelita Arunika di Labuan Bajo". infopublik.id (in Indonesian). 24 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  21. ^ a b c d Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Persero), PT (2020). Laporan Tahunan PELNI 2019. Jakarta: PT PELNI. p. 82.
  22. ^ a b "Situs Resmi PT.PELNI (Persero) -". www.pelni.co.id. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  23. ^ "Lima Kleder 'Kawal' 500 Sapi dalam Pelayaran KM Camara Nusantara I". Berita Trans. 2016-11-28. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  24. ^ Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia, PT (1 December 2020). "Pelni162".
  25. ^ Kompasiana.com (2018-07-17). "Memori di Kota Dili, Menyembuhkan Luka dan Merajut Damai". KOMPASIANA (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  26. ^ Media, Kompas Cyber (2 August 2012). "Kapal Cepat Layari Sulut-Filipina". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  27. ^ "36 Tahun Lalu, KMP Tampomas II Terbakar di Masalembo, Ada Penumpang Nyanyikan Salam Perpisahan". TribunTravel.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  28. ^ Sudrajat. "Bencana Galunggung, Tampomas dan Bintaro dalam Lagu Ebiet G Ade". detikhot. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  29. ^ Jitunews.com. "Trauma Masalembo". Jitunews.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  30. ^ Expost Name (March 15, 2016). "Syahbandar awasi Koperasi TNI AL potong bangkai KM Fudi". Expost News. Retrieved August 14, 2017.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pelni.
  • Pelni – official site
  • Online schedule of all Pelni ships available here
  • Travels on Pelni, (PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia) – review of a voyage on KM Kelud by Jonathan Boonzaier in Maritime Matters
  • YouTube- Making of KM Lambelu in Meyer Werft
  • Pelni Schedule - The Sheep Schedule for Pelni
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
International
  • VIAF
National
  • United States