State ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) has reduced vessel loading and unloading time to around 35 minutes per call as it seeks to manage heavy traffic during the Eid al-Fitr return period on the Ketapang – Gilimanuk route.
The faster in turnaround time is aimed at increasing vessel frequency and easing congestion on the key crossing between Java and Bali, the company said.
“Our focus is on accelerating service at every point to maintain continuous traffic flow,” Deputy President Director Yossianis Marciano said. He added that vessels are operating under an Arrival–Unloading–Departure (TBB) system, which minimizes idle time at port.
Under the system, ships depart shortly after completing loading and unloading, allowing for faster rotations without increasing fleet size.
ASDP said 34 vessels are currently in operation, including 22 using the TBB system across multiple docks, supported by auxiliary vessels to stabilize operations.
As of 1400 WIB on Monday, vehicle queues extended about 5.8 km from Ketapang Port. Traffic, dominated by passenger cars, trucks and buses, continued moving despite peak conditions.
Ticketing data from the Ferizy platform showed 164,881 vehicles had booked crossings between March 11 and April 1. As of D+7 after Eid, 154,313 vehicles had already crossed, leaving about 10,568 yet to arrive at the port.
The peak of the return flow occurred on March 29, when 56,365 passengers and 19,057 vehicles crossed from Java to Bali, led by motorcycles and private cars.
To prevent bottlenecks, ASDP is regulating vehicle arrivals through buffer zones including Grand Watudodol, Sri Tanjung Terminal, Bulusan and PT Pusri.
“We are managing inflow from the landside to keep operations stable,” said ASDP Ketapang General Manager Arief Eko.
ASDP urged passengers to book tickets in advance and plan trips carefully, adding that maintaining safety and steady flow remains its main priority during holiday period.