Ministry of Transport Adds Vessels and Accelerates Loading Operations at Gilimanuk Port Amid Traffic Congestion
Jakarta – Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi affirmed that the government, through the Ministry of Transport, continues to optimise various measures to ease the vehicle congestion occurring on routes leading to Gilimanuk Ferry Port. These efforts are carried out through intensive field coordination by the Land Transport Management Agency (BPTD) Bali together with relevant stakeholders, including police, vessel operators, port authorities, security personnel, and regional government.
“The Ministry of Transport continues to work to ensure that all transport services run safely, smoothly, and in a controlled manner,” Dudy stated in a written statement in Jakarta on Monday, 16 March 2026.
The ministry, Dudy continued, also encourages the acceleration of various operational measures in the field to speed up the easing of vehicle and passenger congestion in the Gilimanuk area so that public mobility remains well served. To enhance coordination effectiveness, Dudy has instructed Deputy Transport Minister Suntana and Director-General of Land Transport Aan Suhanan to visit Gilimanuk directly.
“As of today, queues of vehicles heading to Gilimanuk port remain congested, dominated by two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles intending to cross to Java Island,” Dudy added.
Dudy outlined various strategic measures being continuously implemented to ensure ferry transport services run optimally amid increasing vehicle volumes. To accelerate vehicle movement and smooth the crossing flow, the number of vessels operated has reached 35 units, consisting of 28 already operational vessels and seven additional vessels, with an eight-trip service pattern.
“These vessels comprise 19 vessels operating at the moveable bridge (MB) dock, 11 vessels at the landing craft machine (LCM) dock, and four additional vessels deployed to increase crossing capacity,” Dudy continued.
In addition to fleet expansion, the ministry also implements various operational measures in the field, including the Arrival-Unload-Departure (TBB) scheme to accelerate vessel rotation, and acceleration of loading and unloading processes to facilitate the channelling of smaller vehicles.
“Vehicle traffic management is also strengthened through the operation of a buffer zone at Gilimanuk port’s cargo terminal and optimisation of the Cekik traffic control point function as a vehicle control point before entering the port area,” Dudy added.
Meanwhile, based on weather monitoring by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency at 11:55 WITA, water conditions in the Bali Strait were reported as conducive for navigation. Weather was reported as cloudy with low wave heights of approximately one metre, visibility reaching 10 kilometres, and water current flowing northward at approximately 2.5 knots.
“The Ministry of Transport will continue to conduct intensive monitoring of ferry crossing operational conditions and coordinate with all relevant parties to ensure smooth transport services across the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route,” Dudy said.