Governor Koster Shocked by 17 Homebound Travellers Collapsing at Gilimanuk

Bali Governor Wayan Koster acknowledged his shock that prolonged congestion on the route to Gilimanuk Port ahead of Eid 2026 resulted in 17 homebound travellers collapsing. He attributed the congestion to inadequate road conditions.

The severe congestion occurred on Sunday, 15 March. Ferry crossing activities and operational services at Gilimanuk Port are managed by ASDP Indonesia Ferry.

“We never expected such crowds either, but our road conditions are genuinely inadequate,” said Koster, quoted by detikcom on Monday, 16 March.

Koster attributed the congestion to a surge in population mobility and both domestic and foreign tourists entering and leaving Bali.

“Additionally, there are many logistics transport trucks caught in the gridlock. Domestic tourist arrivals increased by 19 per cent, and foreign tourists by 6 per cent, so Bali is now at full capacity,” Koster explained.

According to him, logistics vehicles have worsened congestion on the Denpasar-Gilimanuk route, which features numerous curves and uphill sections.

“What causes the congestion is logistics transport because the route from Denpasar to Gilimanuk has many curves and uphills. When a logistics vehicle passes through, it moves very slowly, and buses queue behind it—it becomes a very long line,” Koster noted.

Previously, PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry had issued an apology regarding the congestion of passenger transport flows heading to Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java.

Ketapang Port’s Terminal III in Banyuwangi, East Java, implemented a full “arrive-unload-depart” (TBB) pattern for support vessels to alleviate congestion and queues of homebound travellers at Gilimanuk Port, Bali.