JAKARTA – Surging fuel costs as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran have forced a cutback in ferry services between Batam, Riau Islands, and neighbouring 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, Ms 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,” Ms Diana told The Jakarta Post on April 7.

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 per cent.

Nova, a reservation officer at Batam Fast, confirmed the reductions, adding that the company had sought to minimise 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.

In addition to cutting trip frequencies, ferry operators have also raised fares to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs. All operators on the Batam-Singapore route have introduced a fuel surcharge as part of the adjustment.

The surcharge is set at $6 for passengers departing from Singapore, and 65,000 rupiah (S$4.85) for those leaving from Batam.

Fares on routes from Batam to Malaysia have also increased significantly. Round-trip tickets now cost around 867,000 rupiah, up from approximately 665,000 rupiah previously.