Severe congestion at Gilimanuk Port during Lebaran exodus, ASDP responds

Gilimanuk Port reportedly experienced severe congestion during the Lebaran exodus in 2026, reaching peak levels on Sunday, 15 March 2026. Returning travellers heading to Java were reportedly stuck in queues for up to 14 hours.

Corporate Secretary of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero), Windy Andale explained that the increase in vehicle numbers heading to Gilimanuk Port occurred due to heightened public mobility and logistics vehicles attempting to cross before the closure of ferry services during Nyepi on 18-20 March 2026.

“ASDP extends its apologies for the inconvenience experienced by some users of our services,” Windy stated on Sunday, 15 March 2026.

ASDP mobilised 35 vessels operating 24 hours a day to serve travellers crossing the Bali Strait. “Under normal operations, 28 vessels are in service. Currently we have increased this to 35 vessels,” he said.

To accelerate the transport of vehicles and passengers from Gilimanuk Port, Windy indicated that ASDP had implemented a discharge-and-return pattern for six vessels. Under this arrangement, six vessels berthed at Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi District would unload cargo only and return directly to Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana District without reloading.

The Ketapang and Gilimanuk ports are supported by 17 active berths, comprising nine berths at Ketapang Port (4 MB, 3 LCM, 1 pontoon, 1 Bulusan) and eight berths at Gilimanuk Port (4 MB and 4 LCM).

“Specifically, LCM berths are focused on serving logistics vehicles to ensure smooth goods distribution, whilst separating the flow of heavy vehicles from passenger vehicles,” he said.

General Manager of ASDP’s Ketapang Branch, Arief Eko reported that based on 24-hour data from the Gilimanuk command post on Saturday, 14 March 2026, 234 vessel trips operated to ferry passengers from Bali to Java, carrying 54,652 passengers. This figure represented an 8.1 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

For motorcycles, 10,733 units crossed from Gilimanuk Port to Ketapang, representing a 37.5 per cent increase. “Meanwhile, 4,610 four-wheeled vehicles crossed, representing a 0.7 per cent increase compared with last year,” he said.

For logistics vehicles, 1,986 trucks crossed, representing a 2.3 per cent increase, whilst 503 buses crossed, representing a 22.9 per cent decrease compared with the same period last year. By Sunday afternoon, long queues of vehicles heading to Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana District, Bali continued to form.