ASDP Strengthens Ketapang–Gilimanuk Ferry Service Ahead of Nyepi Festival

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) is optimising ferry services on the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route as public mobility increases ahead of the Eid exodus and the closure of ferry operations during the Nyepi festival. Currently, 35 vessels are operating nonstop around the clock to serve vehicle and passenger traffic from Bali to Java.

Corporate Secretary of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Windy Andale, stated that increased vehicle movement is occurring due to high public and logistical vehicle mobility ahead of the closure of ferry services during the Nyepi festival on 18–20 March 2026.

“ASDP apologises for any inconvenience experienced by some service users. The increase in vehicle movement is due to the strong enthusiasm from the public and logistical vehicles crossing from Bali to Java ahead of the closure of ferry services during the Nyepi festival,” Windy said.

To maintain optimal service quality, ASDP has added seven vessels to its normal operational pattern of 28 vessels. Accordingly, a total of 35 vessels now operate on rotation around the clock on the Ketapang–Gilimanuk ferry route.

“With the fleet operating nonstop, transport capacity has increased, allowing the ferry process to proceed more quickly and vehicle queues to be cleared gradually,” Windy added.

In addition to expanding the fleet, six vessels have also implemented TBB (Arrival–Unloading–Departure) operational patterns to accelerate the service cycle at ports. Vessels that arrive proceed directly to cargo unloading and set sail again without loading vehicles at the departure port.

Operations on this route are supported by 17 active berths distributed across Ketapang Port and Gilimanuk Port. Nine berths are located at Ketapang and eight at Gilimanuk. LCM berths are dedicated to serving logistical vehicles to ensure smooth cargo distribution whilst separating heavy vehicle traffic from passenger vehicles.

As part of service acceleration efforts, Berth 3 at Ketapang Port has implemented a full TBB pattern since 15 March 2026 at 00.00 WIB. Arriving vessels proceed only to unload cargo without loading vehicles from Ketapang, allowing vessel rotation to proceed more quickly.

ASDP continues to coordinate intensively with various stakeholders, including the Port Authority (KSOP), Police, Armed Forces, and local government to ensure smooth operational management in the port area.

“We continue to coordinate across stakeholders intensively so that operational rhythm can be accelerated and vehicle queues can be managed well, ensuring service to users remains optimal,” Windy explained.

ASDP urges service users to monitor the latest information regarding port operational conditions through official company channels, including social media @asdp191 and @asdp.ketapang, so the public can plan their travel better ahead of the 2026 Eid transport period.

Vehicle traffic increases

General Manager of ASDP Ketapang Branch, Arief Eko, reported that vehicle and passenger movement began increasing as the Eid period approached (H-7 Eid 2026). According to data from the Gilimanuk Command Post during a 24-hour period on 14 March 2026, 234 vessel trips served ferries from Bali to Java with a total of 54,652 passengers.

This figure increased by 8.1 per cent compared to the same period last year with 50,545 people. Two-wheeled vehicles reached 10,733 units, up 37.5 per cent, whilst four-wheeled vehicles totalled 4,610 units, representing a 0.7 per cent increase.

For logistical vehicles, 1,986 trucks were recorded, up 2.3 per cent, whilst 503 buses were recorded, down 22.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. Overall, 17,832 vehicles crossed from Bali to Java at H-7, increasing 19.1 per cent compared to 14,978 vehicles last year.

Cumulatively from H-10 to H-7, 152,224 passengers and 48,877 vehicles crossed from Bali to Java.

Java–Bali traffic growth

Meanwhile, data from the Ketapang Command Post recorded 258 vessel trips serving the route from Java to Bali during the same period. Passenger numbers reached 34,276 people, up 34.6 per cent compared to 25,467 people last year.

Two-wheeled vehicles totalled 542 units, up 3.6 per cent, four-wheeled vehicles 2,160 units, up 23.5 per cent, trucks 2,047 units, up 32.1 per cent, and buses 994 units, up 41.2 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Overall, 5,743 vehicles crossed from Java to Bali at H-7, up 26.9 per cent compared to 4,526 vehicles last year.

Cumulatively from H-10 to H-7, 100,581 passengers and 21,153 vehicles crossed from Java to Bali. With the support of the nonstop operating fleet, accelerated vessel operational patterns, and intensive coordination with all stakeholders, ASDP is ensuring that ferry services on the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route continue to operate optimally in serving public mobility during the 2026 Eid transport period.