State-owned ferry operator ASDP Indonesia Ferry and the East Java provincial government agreed to accelerate Ketapang Port’s expansion, boosting ferry capacity, logistics efficiency, and long-term connectivity between Java and Bali
State-owned ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) and the East Java provincial government have agreed to accelerate the development of Ketapang Port, aiming to improve ferry capacity, strengthen logistics connectivity and support long-term growth in passenger and vehicle traffic between Java and Bali.
The commitment was discussed during a meeting between ASDP’s board of directors and East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa in Surabaya on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by ASDP President Commissioner Ahmad Baidhowi, President Director Heru Widodo, Deputy President Director Yossianis Marciano, Technical Director Nana Sutisna and Corporate Secretary Windy Andale, along with officials from the East Java Provincial Government, including representatives from the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), the Transportation Agency, the Public Works and Highways Agency, and the provincial Economic Bureau.
Ketapang Port, one of Indonesia’s busiest ferry terminals, serves as the main gateway connecting Java and Bali, handling thousands of passengers and vehicles each day while supporting logistics distribution and tourism.
Heru said the port’s development should extend beyond infrastructure upgrades to include an integrated approach covering ferry operations, traffic management, buffer zones and regional planning.
“The development of Ketapang Port is about building an integrated connectivity ecosystem, not simply expanding port facilities,” Heru said. “Infrastructure, vessel operations, traffic management and supporting facilities must be developed together to accommodate future growth in passenger and logistics movements.”
He said recent surges in traffic during the Eid al-Fitr holiday and school vacation periods underscored the need for long-term infrastructure investment rather than relying solely on operational improvements.
ASDP has prepared a phased development plan through 2029 that includes expanding berth capacity, optimizing the Bulusan area as a logistics buffer zone, constructing connecting access roads and developing additional piers to improve operational efficiency on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk ferry route.
The company also plans to increase berth capacity in stages beginning this year to support rising demand while preparing for future traffic growth.
Governor Khofifah expressed support for the development plan and said the provincial government would encourage the project to be included in Indonesia’s National Strategic Projects (PSN) program.
According to Khofifah, increasing Ketapang Port’s capacity will require coordinated efforts to improve buffer zones on both sides of the crossing, upgrade vessel standards, strengthen connectivity to the Bulusan area and improve coordination among relevant stakeholders.
ASDP said the transformation of Ketapang Port would require close coordination between the central government, regional governments and other stakeholders, particularly in infrastructure development, regional planning and traffic management outside the port area.
Heru said stronger collaboration would help improve ferry services while supporting economic activity and connectivity between Java and Bali over the long term.