Overweight Trucks Under Scrutiny, Ketapang Port Congestion Must Not Recur
The prolonged congestion occurring on the route to Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, in recent days has come under significant scrutiny. The situation is deemed to require immediate evaluation to ensure that similar issues do not recur and disrupt both community activities and the distribution of goods.
The Director of The National Maritime Institute (Namarin), Siswanto Rusdi, believes that one of the issues requiring attention is the enforcement of regulations regarding Over Dimension Over Loading (ODOL) vehicles attempting to enter the port area.
According to Siswanto, the vehicle density at Ketapang Port does not solely indicate the port’s lack of readiness to handle mobility flows. He assessed that the problem is also related to trucks carrying loads that exceed the permitted regulations and available capacity.
“In terms of the number of berths, there are already plenty, and if trucks arriving at the port comply with the regulations, there should not be any congestion at all,” said Siswanto in a statement on Thursday, 1 October 2026.
ODOL Truck Management Needs Tightening
Siswanto highlighted the situation where the port is forced to adjust itself to accommodate trucks categorised as ODOL. He argued that trucks with dimensions and loads that do not comply with regulations should face firm handling before even entering the port area. This is considered vital to ensure such vehicles do not create new problems within the crossing area.
“ODOL trucks are not prohibited from travelling on the roads and are even allowed to enter the port until they are forced to be loaded onto ships. This is quite strange,” he remarked.
He assessed that this issue needs to be viewed as part of the overall management of vehicle flows towards the port. Regulating vehicles before they enter the port area is seen as a crucial aspect in preventing accumulation.
Allegations of Blockades at Ketapang-Gilimanuk Crossing
Amidst the ongoing congestion, Siswanto also noted receiving information from various sources regarding allegations that certain truck drivers are conducting blockades in the Ketapang-Gilimanuk crossing area. However, he noted that this information remains an allegation that requires further investigation to confirm its veracity.
“If that information is true, it is highly ironic. This would certainly be very dangerous for shipping and passenger safety, as ships would be unable to dock, disrupting the smooth distribution of goods and hindering the economy,” said Siswanto.