Six Key Ferry Ports from Sumatra to NTB Tighten Access with Full Sterilisation Programme
Six key ferry ports—Merak, Bakauheni, Ketapang, Gilimanuk, Kayangan, and Lembar—are now implementing a full port sterilisation programme. The policy, effective this week, aims to raise safety standards and operational order within port areas.
The implementation follows a transition period since the soft launch on 20 July 2026. During this time, the operator, regulators, and relevant agencies refined operational procedures, conducted public outreach, and strengthened on-the-ground coordination.
ASDP President Director Heru Widodo stated that sterilisation is not merely about spatial arrangement but represents a cultural shift in operations to ensure all activities are safe, orderly, and compliant with standards. He expressed confidence that a secure port environment will lead to more comfortable travel, more reliable operations, and increased public trust in ferry services.
On the first day of full implementation, access control was tightened through reorganised entry lanes, the use of digital systems, and enhanced supervision with regulators and stakeholders. At Merak Port, a One Gate System was introduced to strengthen access control, while an Automatic Gate System reportedly reduced truck service times from 10-15 minutes to just 1-2 minutes, significantly improving vehicle flow. The port also reorganised vendor areas, re-registered personnel active in the port zone, and upgraded surveillance facilities.
At Bakauheni Port, efforts focused on vehicle lane management, construction of a motorcycle parking area, improved signage, and optimisation of the access control system. On the Ketapang-Gilimanuk route, implementation emphasised compliance through stakeholder outreach, monitoring of personal protective equipment use, joint patrols, and zone-based access to ensure only authorised personnel enter operational areas.
At Kayangan and Lembar ports, access control was strengthened using face recognition technology, accompanied by reviews of restricted zones as part of the policy rollout. This implementation marks a significant step following the issuance of regulations on port sterilisation, specifically Ministerial Regulation No. 91 of 2021. The sterilisation programme is not only about spatial management but also represents a shift in operational culture that prioritises safety. ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale noted that sterilisation is a collective effort to build a more disciplined, professional, and safety-oriented operational culture, with ongoing evaluation and refinement to ensure benefits are felt by all port users.