Head of the ministry’s public communication and information bureau, Ernita Titis Dewi, said here on Friday that the study would need to look into infrastructure and facility readiness, including port conditions, and supporting facilities such as customs, immigration, and other service systems.
In addition to infrastructure, she highlighted the limited availability of passenger vessels and the need to determine whether sea travel would be more cost-effective compared to air transportation.
The ministry further noted longer travel duration as a crucial factor, which could affect passenger comfort. It then underlined the need to determine the market segment most suited for sea-route Hajj services.
“We also need to consider the market segment, as traveling by sea obviously takes more time,” she explained.
According to the ministry, the characteristics of Hajj transport by sea would differ significantly from air travel, hence an in-depth study is necessary to ensure the plan is on target and sustainable.
“Certainly, the target market for Hajj by sea is different from that of air travel,” Dewi added.
However, the ministry affirmed its support for services that prioritize the safety, security, and comfort of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Earlier, the Indonesian government said that it is discussing the possibility of opening a sea route for Hajj and Umrah travel with Saudi Arabian authorities.
“We believe that the idea of introducing Hajj and Umrah by sea in the future is quite promising. We have discussed this with several officials in Saudi Arabia,” Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, said on Tuesday.
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Translator: Harianto, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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