Long queues of trucks bound for Sumatra snake through Ciwandan Port entrance
Cilegon — As the peak Eid 2026 holiday exodus period begins, long queues of heavy vehicles and logistics trucks are clogging the Southern Ring Road (JLS) in Cilegon City, Banten, waiting to cross to Sumatra island via Ciwandan Port.
According to observations at the location on Saturday at 11:30 WIB, rows of large cargo trucks — ranging from medium-sized box trucks to container trucks — were parked in long queues, taking up part of the road lanes along JLS.
Scorching midday heat accompanied the wait for cargo drivers who had to patiently wait for their turn to enter the port area.
Although the left lane was filled with extending truck queues running past rows of palm trees at the road divider, traffic for private vehicles and motorcycles could still move slowly in the right lane. Several four-wheeled vehicles and motorcycles were seen passing with extra caution to avoid the traffic congestion.
The density of logistics vehicles on this route is a consequence of the 2026 Eid holiday traffic management scheme. As in previous years, the government has again designated Ciwandan Port as an auxiliary port to relieve congestion at Merak Port.
Ciwandan Port operations are focused on serving holiday travellers using motorcycles and goods transport or logistics vehicles.
Hendra Setiawan, a logistics truck driver transporting miscellaneous goods in Cilegon, said on Saturday that he had been stuck in traffic since exiting the eastern Cilegon toll gate.
“I’ve only travelled about two kilometres since 09:30 WIB. The situation is quite severe,” he said.
Hendra explained that he was transporting a cargo of plates and cups from Karawang destined for Palembang, South Sumatra. Due to this queue, the loading and unloading schedule that was supposed to occur on Saturday afternoon is now certain to be delayed.
Police and the local Transportation Office continue to be stationed along the Southern Ring Road to manage parking buffer zones and implement an open-close system. This is being done to ensure that national logistics distribution continues to run despite overlapping with the high volume of motorcycle users also directed towards Ciwandan Port.