Evaluation of 2026 Lebaran Transport, Ministry of Transportation Proposes Alternative Bali Ports

The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), through the Directorate General of Land Transportation, is conducting an evaluation of the 2026 Lebaran transport arrangements, particularly in the Bali region. This evaluation is aimed at enhancing transport services for subsequent transport periods. The Director General of Land Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), Aan Suhanan, stated that the congestion that occurred on the roads leading to Gilimanuk Port during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming traffic is an important note. “There was initial management that was not optimal, one of which was the utilisation of the buffer zone, even though its management is one of the keys to regulating vehicles heading to the port. Every port must have a buffer zone, because ports have limited capacity to accommodate vehicles, so collaboration with all stakeholders is needed to improve it together,” Aan said in his statement on Sunday (19/4/2026). He added that to prevent similar conditions from recurring, a search for additional buffer zone locations before reaching Gilimanuk Port is necessary to support the vehicle regulation system. Aan also encouraged local governments to play a role in providing land that can be used as parking pockets or buffer zones in locations not far from the port. This is deemed necessary to reduce dependence on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk crossing route, which has been the main route so far. “Aan added that, besides regulating buffer zones, it is also necessary to provide alternative ports in Bali to reduce dependence and excessive burden on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk crossing, as has been implemented on the Merak-Bakauheni crossing. One port that can be used as an alternative is Celukan Bawang to help alleviate congestion when there is a surge in vehicle volume at Gilimanuk,” Aan explained. On the other hand, land limitations in the Gilimanuk area are also a concern. For this reason, the Directorate General of Land Transportation is pushing for the addition of infrastructure in the form of a floating pier in the area near Gilimanuk Port, specifically in the Cemara Beach area or the cargo buffer zone area. In addition, increasing the carrying capacity of ships is also a focus of attention. The Directorate General of Land Transportation continues to coordinate with ferry operators so that ships with greater capacity can be operated on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk route. These steps are expected to accelerate the movement of crossing vehicles and minimise queues at the port. All these efforts are targeted to become solutions in facing the Christmas and New Year transport periods as well as Lebaran in the coming years. “We want in the future the public’s journeys and logistics distribution in Bali to be smoother, safer, and well-managed. Therefore, coordination and cooperation from all parties are needed to realise it,” Aan concluded.