State-owned ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry is stepping up efforts to ease congestion along the busy Java–Bali crossing, as a post-holiday surge in logistics trucks strains operations at Ketapang Port.
Traffic on the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route remained heavy on Tuesday, despite the official end of the Eid al-Fitr transport monitoring period. By midafternoon, vehicle queues stretched about 12 kilometers toward the port, with freight trucks accounting for the majority of traffic, alongside buses and private vehicles.
The increase follows the lifting of government restrictions on heavy logistics vehicles, which had been enforced from March 13 to March 29 under a series of joint decrees aimed at easing holiday travel.
“With the restrictions lifted, truck volumes entering Ketapang have risen significantly,” said Yossianis Marciano, ASDP Deputy President Director.
“This has contributed to longer queues, though conditions remain under control through strengthened field operations,” he said further.
To address the buildup, ASDP has expanded the use of its Tiba Bongkar Berangkat (TBB) – arrival–unloading–departure system – to accelerate vessel turnaround times. The operator has also increased sailings, deployed additional vessels and strengthened traffic management on land.
A key focus has been the optimization of buffer zones, particularly at Bulusan Pier, where logistics trucks are held before entering the main port. Some vehicles are dispatched directly from Bulusan, while others are rerouted to alternative piers to balance traffic flow.
“In Bulusan, we are implementing two schemes—direct departures from the pier and redistribution to other terminals,” said Arief Eko, general manager of ASDP’s Ketapang branch. “This helps maintain smoother movement while giving drivers time to rest before continuing their journey.”
As of Tuesday morning, around 380 vehicles—mostly medium and heavy trucks—were waiting in the Bulusan buffer zone, with volumes continuing to increase. Travel times from the tollgate to the port ranged between 15 and 30 minutes around midday.
ASDP is currently operating 36 vessels on the route, including 10 using the TBB system at Pier 4. Six auxiliary ships have been added to support capacity and maintain service levels.
Despite congestion, crossing volumes remain strong. In the 24 hours through March 30, more than 56,000 passengers traveled from Java to Bali, up 5.2% from the previous period, while vehicle crossings rose 2.1% to 17,608.
From March 22 through March 30, a total of 624,717 passengers and 171,921 vehicles made the crossing. Of approximately 183,810 reservations made through the Ferizy digital platform, about 11,889 vehicles are still expected to cross in the coming days.
The ferry operator is urging travelers to plan ahead, purchase tickets online and arrive according to scheduled departure times, as authorities work to ensure a steady and controlled flow during the extended post-holiday travel period.