Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry has placed 29 patrol vessels on standby to safeguard maritime travel during the Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 holiday period, amid an expected surge in passenger traffic.The ministry’s Director General of Sea Transportation, Muhammad Masyhud, said the vessels are being deployed through five Sea and Coast Guard Bases, known as PPLP, across key maritime corridors nationwide.The five bases are located in Tanjung Priok, Tanjung Uban, Tanjung Perak, Bitung and Tual, covering strategic waters from western to eastern Indonesia.Masyhud said patrol ships operated by the Sea and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP) will reinforce monitoring and security, provide search and rescue support, and ensure compliance with maritime safety regulations.He added that holiday patrol operations rely heavily on close coordination and strong synergy with all relevant stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted and safe sea transport services.“Effective collaboration and communication are essential to ensure maritime transport services during Christmas and the New Year are safe and comfortable for the public,” Masyhud said.He stressed that authorities would show zero tolerance for any potential threats to maritime safety during the peak travel season.“This cooperation is crucial to escort travelers, whether they are celebrating Christmas or taking holidays, to reach their destinations safely and return home securely,” he added.The heightened monitoring and security measures are being carried out in coordination with the Indonesian Navy, the National Police, the National Search and Rescue Agency, port operators and other related institutions.According to Masyhud, the sharp increase in public mobility during the year-end holidays requires a higher level of preparedness and cross-sector coordination.“The Christmas and New Year period is always marked by a spike in passenger movement, so patrol operations must be more measured, responsive and safety-oriented,” he said.He underlined that patrols are a key instrument to ensure all shipping activities comply with safety standards, from vessel seaworthiness and passenger manifest accuracy to the availability of life-saving equipment and readiness for extreme weather.Areas under special focus include North Sumatra, Nias, North Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Papua and Makassar, regions seen as vulnerable to passenger surges and harsh weather conditions during the holiday season.