Traffic Jams on Ketapang-Gilimanuk Route Prompt DPR Call for Concrete Government Solutions
Long queues have once again formed on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk crossing route. Vehicle lines from the Situbondo route to Ketapang Port once stretched up to around 15 kilometres.
DPR RI Commission V member Irine Roba stated that this situation requires concrete action from the government. According to her, the public will continue to suffer if the conditions persist for a long time.
“The public is the most affected party. Time is wasted, energy is drained, and operational costs increase without certainty on when conditions will improve,” she said in a statement on Friday (3/4).
“Long traffic jams lead to fuel wastage, accident risks due to fatigue, and disruptions to logistics distribution that impact the national economy,” she continued.
This legislator from the PDI Perjuangan Faction assessed that the root cause of the recurring congestion lies in the limited number of docks.
“The large number of ships (even including reserve fleets) is not matched by dock capacity for quick berthing and loading/unloading. This causes very slow port time,” she said.
As a member of DPR RI Commission V, Irine urged the Ministry of Transportation and PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry to immediately conduct a comprehensive evaluation.
“The government, particularly the Ministry of Transportation, needs to make this issue a priority. Adding new docks at Ketapang and Gilimanuk Ports as a medium-to-long-term solution. This is the top priority, not just adding ships,” she stated.
In addition, Irine emphasised the need for innovation in resolving the problem.
“Implementing a mandatory online reservation system based on time slots (booking system) that is integrated, so vehicle flow can be controlled and adjusted to ship capacity. Then, optimising buffer zones and parking pockets around the ports can also be done,” she said.
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) stated that vehicle flow management at Gilimanuk Port has returned to stable and controlled conditions following the successful dispersal of queues.
The issue of long queues due to limited docks cannot be taken lightly. If left unaddressed, this condition could have broad impacts on the economy.
The Ministry of Transportation facilitated the repatriation of a mudik traveller’s body who died at Gilimanuk Port to Kebumen. Coordination was carried out with the police and ASDP for smooth proceedings.
Vehicle density from mudik travellers previously queuing for the Gilimanuk-Ketapang crossing began to ease since 11:45 WITA.
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry doubled the ferry ships on the crossing from Gilimanuk Port to Ketapang, Banyuwangi, following long queues of mudik travellers heading to Banyuwangi.
This condition is crucial because operations at Ketapang-Gilimanuk Port will be completely closed on 18 March to honour a religious ritual in Bali.
The Ministry of Transportation implemented a delaying system and established buffer zones at Merak, Bakauheni, Ketapang, and Gilimanuk Ports to anticipate dense mudik and return flows for Eid 2026.
She emphasised the need for a comprehensive audit of ship maintenance aspects.
This step was taken in response to logistics vehicle queues that once stretched more than 30 kilometres at Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi.