Series of Factors Behind 36-Kilometre Traffic Congestion at Gilimanuk Port
Vehicle queues on routes leading to Gilimanuk Port in Bali extended up to 36 kilometres on the fifth day before Lebaran 2026. PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (State Enterprise) attributed the severe congestion to an accumulation of simultaneous public mobility factors.
Yossianis Marciano, Deputy Director-General of ASDP, explained that the primary cause was ferry service users attempting to cross to Java Island before the port’s temporary closure for Nyepi Day celebrations on 18-20 March 2026.
“The congestion was triggered by increased public mobility as travellers attempted to cross earlier before the temporary closure of the Gilimanuk-Ketapang route,” Yossianis stated in Jakarta on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
Beyond the phenomenon of travellers rushing to meet the Nyepi deadline, ASDP identified several additional technical factors exacerbating conditions on the ground.
In response to these complex congestion causes, ASDP implemented a “Very Dense” operational pattern. Arif Eko, General Manager of ASDP’s Ketapang branch, stated that 34 vessels were deployed using an Arrival-Unload-Depart (TBB) scheme.
“A total of 24 vessels were deployed for the TBB scheme, whereby arriving vessels immediately unload cargo and promptly return to sea without loading new vehicles, thereby accelerating vessel turnaround,” Arif explained.
Through this acceleration measure, the queue that had previously reached 36 kilometres gradually reduced to approximately 20 kilometres, with traffic flow maintained despite the density.
The Government Secretary (Mensesneg) apologised for the vehicle accumulation at Ketapang-Gilimanuk during the 2026 homecoming period and mobilised field personnel to manage the lengthy queues. PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry doubled ferry capacity at the Gilimanuk crossing to Ketapang in Banyuwangi in response to the long queue of travellers heading to Banyuwangi.
Industry associations have called on the government to develop a clear and sustainable national roadmap for port infrastructure development. The surge in vehicles occurring before Nyepi celebrations and the Lebaran homecoming created severe congestion on routes to Gilimanuk Port, highlighting the critical need for improved capacity and strategic planning.