Queues Extend to Gilimanuk Port as ASDP Optimises Vessels and Berths

JAKARTA – PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) is working to ease traffic congestion and long vehicle queues at Gilimanuk Port during the 2026 Lebaran transport period.

This situation has been driven by increased public mobility as people seek to cross before the temporary closure of the Gilimanuk–Ketapang and Padangbai–Lembar routes in observance of Nyepi Day on 18–20 March 2026.

“Beyond the high volume of vehicles heading to the port, queuing conditions have also been influenced by traffic dynamics along the routes leading to the Gilimanuk area, including public activity at various service points such as fuel stations and other travel support facilities,” said Yossianis Marciano, Deputy Chief Executive of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero), in an official statement on Tuesday (17 March 2026).

Yossianis emphasised that ASDP would deploy its entire operational capacity to manage congestion and maintain smooth ferry services.

“ASDP is making maximum efforts by optimising vessels, berths, and operational arrangements to keep vehicle traffic flowing,” he said.

“We understand that many users are racing against time before the port closure during Nyepi celebrations, so we are mobilising all our resources to accelerate ferry services,” he added.

Arif Eko, General Manager of ASDP’s Ketapang branch, stated that in collaboration with field partners, various traffic engineering measures had been implemented to facilitate vehicle flow to the port.

“Small vehicles are also being directed to the Cargo Buffer Zone area, which is currently monitored as full, to reduce congestion on the main route to the port,” Arif said.

From an operational standpoint, the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route is currently operating under a very intensive schedule, deploying 34 vessels to increase service capacity.

ASDP has also implemented an Arrive–Discharge–Depart (TBB) scheme at several berths: MB2, MB4, LCM, and Bulusan.

“A total of 24 vessels are deployed for the TBB scheme, whereby vessels arriving at Ketapang Port immediately discharge cargo and promptly depart without loading new vehicles, resulting in faster vessel turnaround,” Arif explained.

The surge in public mobility is evident from passenger and vehicle movement data. On 16 March 2026 from 00:00 to 23:59 West Indonesian Time (H-5), a total of 76,495 passengers crossed from Bali to Java via Gilimanuk Port.

“This figure represents a 2.9 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, which recorded 74,321 people,” he said.