Badung Regent Says Sea Toll and Logistics Ports Effective in Easing Bali Congestion
The Badung Regency Government supports the Bali Provincial Government’s plan to build a sea toll network and port infrastructure dedicated to logistics transport. The policy is considered effective in shifting the flow of large-tonnage goods transport from land routes to sea routes while simultaneously easing vehicle congestion on Bali’s roads.
“We strongly support the construction of several logistics ports in Bali now. So the logistics do not necessarily have to go by land, but by sea,” said Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa at the Badung Government Centre on Thursday (20/8/2026).
The sea transport scheme is seen as a solution to the constant movement of goods vehicles that frequently triggers congestion on main roads. In addition, the preparation of logistics wharves spread across several locations will also facilitate faster and more efficient access for raw material distribution.
“So there are several ports, but there cannot be just one, there are several ports. For example, in Badung perhaps wherever is suitable, whichever is closest, so that later when people bring logistics they do not need to do so by land,” he said.
The plan to divert logistics transport to sea routes has been championed by the Bali Provincial Government with the preparation of Celukan Bawang Port in Buleleng Regency as a dedicated logistics terminal. The port development is targeted for completion by the end of 2027. The scheme is designed so that cargo ships from Ketapang, Banyuwangi, can dock directly in Buleleng.
The presence of this maritime logistics route is projected to reduce the movement of heavy trucks crossing inter-regency land routes from the Gilimanuk direction. Adi Arnawa assessed that goods distribution routes via sea can also shorten travel distances compared to having to pass through winding land roads.
“Compared to going from Gilimanuk to Denpasar, which passes through Negara, Tabanan, Badung, it is tiring. Now if there are sea ports, a sea toll as it is called, I support it,” said Adi Arnawa.
The optimisation of this maritime logistics route is also in line with a Ministry of Transportation study that encourages the separation of passenger and goods transport modes. This sea connectivity integration is believed to maintain the smooth supply of goods while creating comfortable traffic conditions in Bali.
On the other hand, the Badung Regency Government has chosen an alternative financing scheme in the form of regional loans to accelerate the construction of several crucial road infrastructure projects. The step was taken to maintain the momentum of investment and tourism sustainability in the region.
“Infrastructure in Bali must not wait another two to three years, that will lose momentum. So my approach of borrowing money is to accelerate the development itself,” said Adi Arnawa.
The loans are focused on the rapid completion of three main road sections in the first phase. The arrangement of this road network access targets tourism growth centres such as the South Kuta and North Kuta areas.
“The Uluwatu to Sawangan shortcut road, Ungasan, (South Kuta) is a tourism centre there. Then secondly, Jalan Berawa, Banjar Umalas, Kedampang, Kerobokan Kelod, (North Kuta). Lastly, currently in process is the road from Ayana (Jimbaran), including from Udayana (Rectorate) towards Uluwatu (Pecatu),” he said.
The construction of this new road network is believed to encourage new investment in Badung Regency. The presence of adequate infrastructure, he said, will create an ecosystem of economic growth and open employment opportunities for the community.
Adi Arnawa stressed that he has carefully calculated the loan scheme against the region’s fiscal capacity. At the same time, the Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda) is also being encouraged to optimise locally generated revenue (PAD).
“We have considered our obligation and our ability to pay. On the other hand, I am pushing PAD, the revenue agency whose task is to optimise revenue, to be truly serious about it,” he concluded.