Transport Minister Dudy Says Severe Congestion at Gilimanuk Port Beginning to Ease
Jakarta – Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has stated that the lengthy queue of vehicles heading to Gilimanuk Port in Bali has begun to clear. The length of vehicle queues has reduced significantly to 8 kilometres, down from over 20 kilometres previously reported on Sunday, 15 March 2026.
Dudy explained that his ministry, working with relevant stakeholders, continues to seek solutions to address the prolonged congestion at Gilimanuk Port to prevent similar occurrences in the future. “We are working to find solutions and mitigate conditions on the ground and this could serve as a lesson so that congestion at Gilimanuk does not happen again in the future,” Dudy said during an inspection of Gilimanuk Port on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
“I greatly appreciate what has been done so that in just a few days the congestion of up to 20 kilometres has begun to ease. Now vehicle queues are approximately 8 kilometres long,” he added.
Dudy outlined several measures being implemented to address the severe congestion at Gilimanuk Port. These include operating larger vessels, increasing the number of vessels to 35 ferries through ASDP (the state-owned ferry operator), optimising the buffer zone, and implementing an arrival-unload-departure (TBB) system for 25 vessels to accelerate vessel operations.
“With these measures in place, we hope to reduce congestion so that traffic flow can return to normal and the situation will be resolved before Nyepi Day,” he stated.
Additionally, Transport Minister Dudy urged logistics companies to comply with the Joint Ministerial Decision (SKB) that regulates restrictions on the operation of three-axle and larger freight vehicles. The continued operation of many three-axle and larger logistics trucks during the Lebaran transport period has caused congestion and lengthy queues around Gilimanuk Port.
Further mitigation measures will be implemented if many vehicles remain unshipped by Nyepi Day. Dudy explained that smaller vehicles and buses will be prioritised for boarding and crossing at Gilimanuk Port, given the substantial number of passengers these vehicles carry. “For larger vehicles, if they are unable to depart they will be accommodated in the buffer zone, and then we will transport the drivers to Banyuwangi whilst waiting for Nyepi celebrations to conclude,” he said.