High Waves Cause 2.6 km Traffic Queue at Gilimanuk Port

Bad weather has struck the Bali Strait area. High waves are making it difficult for ferries to manoeuvre and dock at the pier. As a result, Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana, Bali, is experiencing severe congestion, with vehicles queuing for 2.6 kilometres along the national road.

Information obtained by detikBali indicates that the traffic jam began on Wednesday (24/6/2026) afternoon. To prevent the congestion from worsening, the Gilimanuk Port Police have implemented traffic engineering measures by diverting private vehicles into residential side streets.

‘It is true that there is currently a queue of vehicles heading to Gilimanuk Port. As of 21.30 Wita, the tail end of the queue was already east of the Pertamina Gilimanuk depot. It is expected to grow longer if the weather remains unfavourable,’ said Gilimanuk Port Police Chief, Kompol I Gusti Kade Alit Murdiasa, when confirmed on Wednesday (24/6/2026).

Murdiasa explained that the bad weather in the Bali Strait is disrupting the loading and unloading process of ships. Due to high waves at Ketapang Port, the port authority has implemented a ‘Tiba Bongkar Berangkat’ (TBB) system—where ferries depart immediately after unloading—to speed up ship movements, though long queues remain unavoidable.

‘The vehicle queue is caused by high waves at Ketapang Port, making it difficult for ships to dock at the pier. The TBB system is currently in effect,’ he clarified.

To prevent a total gridlock on the main Denpasar-Gilimanuk route, police are separating vehicles by size. Smaller vehicles and private cars are being directed through alternative routes in residential areas, while large vehicles remain on the main road.

‘We are using one alley for small vehicles to pass through. The main road remains for trucks. The tail end of the queue continues to grow because truck traffic increases at night,’ Murdiasa concluded.