Logistics Transport Restrictions End, Ketapang Port Full of Trucks
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has emphasised that the government has identified several crucial aspects that need improvement to anticipate congestion in ferry transport going forward, one of which is the restriction on goods transport.
“Some things we have already mapped out, for example, the consistency in implementing joint ministerial decrees, as well as providing more adequate buffer zones, so that we can regulate the flow of vehicles entering the port,” Dudy said, quoted on Wednesday (1/4/2026).
This evaluation is based on field conditions following the reopening of logistics vehicle operations. These improvement measures will be the government’s focus to ensure that vehicle flow management to the port runs more optimally and measurably.
“Improvement steps related to this will also be our attention, so that the flow of vehicles entering the port can be better regulated in the future,” Dudy stated.
Amid this evaluation, a surge in logistics vehicle traffic has begun to be felt at Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi after the truck operation restrictions during the Eid al-Fitr homecoming period officially ended. As a result, queues of vehicles heading to the port have stretched for dozens of kilometres.
Field observations show that traffic from the north towards Ketapang Port is congested on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk route. The queue is estimated to reach around 12 kilometres, dominated by logistics trucks, followed by buses and private vehicles.
This situation occurred alongside the reopening of operations for three-axle and above logistics vehicles, which were previously restricted during the homecoming period. The restriction policy refers to a joint ministerial decree that applied from 13-29 March 2026.
“Following the end of logistics vehicle restrictions, there has been a significant increase in trucks entering Ketapang Port. This condition has impacted vehicle queues, but remains under control through strengthened operational management in the field,” said Deputy Director General of ASDP, Yossianis Marcian, on Wednesday (1/4/2026).
Therefore, regulators and ship operators have made service adjustments to mitigate the congestion. Several measures have been implemented, from optimising operational patterns to adding ship fleets.
Operationally, 36 ships have been deployed to serve the crossing on that route. Of that number, 10 ships at Pier 4 are implementing the Arrive-Unload-Depart (TBB) pattern to speed up the loading and unloading process. In addition, six additional ships are also being operated to strengthen services.
On the land side, vehicle flow regulation is focused on optimising buffer zones, particularly in the Bulusan area. This scheme functions as a temporary parking lot to hold vehicles before entering the port.
“We are optimising the Arrive-Unload-Depart (TBB) pattern, adding trips and ship fleets, as well as regulating vehicle rhythm through buffer zones so that logistics flow remains well served without disrupting the smooth travel of other service users,” he added.
Field data shows that travel time for vehicles from the entrance to the pier ranges between 15 and 30 minutes.
Based on data from the Ketapang Post during a 24-hour period at the end of March 2026 or H+8 Eid, the number of passengers crossing from Java to Bali reached 56,197 people, up 5.2% compared to the previous period. Meanwhile, the total vehicles recorded were 17,608 units, or an increase of 2.1%.
Cumulatively from H-10 to H+8, the total passengers crossing reached 624,717 people with 171,921 vehicles.
From the reservation side, 183,810 vehicles have booked tickets through the Ferizy platform. Of that number, 171,921 vehicles have been served, while around 11,889 other vehicles are estimated to still cross until H+10.