Long queues of trucks entering Ciwandan Port to Sumatra snake along roads
As the 2026 Lebaran exodus reached its peak, long queues of heavy vehicles and logistics trucks congested the southern ring road (JLS) in Cilegon city, Banten, as they awaited passage to Sumatra through Ciwandan Port.
According to Antara’s observations on Saturday, 14 March 2026 at 11.30 WIB, rows of heavily laden trucks ranging from medium-box lorries to container trucks were parked in serpentine fashion, occupying portions of the JLS. The intense midday heat accompanied the patience of freight drivers waiting for their turn to enter the port area.
Although the left lane was filled with an extended queue of trucks stretching past a row of palm trees at the road divider, traffic flow for private vehicles and motorcycles continued slowly in the right lane. Several four-wheeled vehicles and motorcycles passed with extra caution to avoid congestion.
The density of logistics vehicles on this route resulted from the 2026 exodus traffic management scheme. As in previous years, the government again designated Ciwandan Port as a relief port to alleviate congestion at Merak Port.
Ciwandan Port operations focused on serving passengers using motorcycles and logistics or freight vehicles.
Hendra Setiawan, a logistics truck driver transporting crockery in Cilegon on Saturday, reported being stuck in traffic since leaving the East Cilegon Toll Gate. “Since 9.30 AM, we’ve only moved about two kilometres. The situation is quite severe,” he said.
Hendra explained he was carrying a cargo of plates and cups from Karawang destined for Palembang, South Sumatra. Due to the queues, the loading and unloading schedule originally planned for Saturday afternoon was certain to be delayed.
Police and local transportation authorities remained on standby throughout the southern ring road to manage parking buffers (buffer zones) and implement open-close traffic systems. This was done to ensure national logistics distribution continued despite overlapping with high volumes of motorcyclists heading to Ciwandan Port.