Koster on Long Queues at Gilimanuk: We Didn't Expect It to be That Crowded
Long traffic congestion on the route to Gilimanuk Port caused 17 travellers to faint. Bali Governor Wayan Koster stated that the congestion resulted from inadequate road conditions.
The extended traffic jam occurred on Sunday, 15 March 2025. Shipping activities and ferry service operations at Gilimanuk Port are managed by PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry.
“We didn’t expect it to be that crowded either, but our road conditions are genuinely inadequate,” Koster said in Denpasar, cited by detikBali on Monday, 16 March 2026.
Koster attributed the congestion on the route to a surge in mobility among residents and tourists entering and leaving Bali.
“Additionally, there are many logistics transport trucks causing congestion. Domestic tourist arrivals have increased by 19 per cent, foreign tourists by 6 per cent, so Bali is now at capacity,” Koster explained.
According to him, logistics transport vehicles have worsened congestion on the Denpasar-Gilimanuk route, which features many curves and inclines.
“What’s causing the congestion is logistics transport vehicles, because the route from Denpasar to Gilimanuk has many curves and climbs, and when these logistics vehicles pass, they move very slowly, with buses behind them — it gets extremely long,” Koster said.
ASDP Apology
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) addressed the surge in homecoming traffic at Gilimanuk Port. ASDP issued an apology regarding passenger transport congestion headed to Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java.
“ASDP extends its apologies for the discomfort experienced by some service users,” said PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Secretary Windy Andale, cited by Antara on Monday, 16 March 2026.
Dock III at Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, implemented a full “arrive-discharge-depart” (TBB) pattern for support vessels to relieve congestion and queues of homebound travellers at Gilimanuk Port, Bali.
“The implementation of the full TBB pattern at Dock III of Ketapang Port began today, 15 March 2026, as part of accelerated service delivery,” said Windy Andale.