Indonesian state ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) has redeployed the large-capacity ferry KMP Portlink VII to the busy Ketapang–Gilimanuk route in a bid to ease congestion as traffic increases ahead of upcoming holidays.
The ferry resumed operations on Saturday after undergoing repairs and sea trials following a previous onboard fire, the company said.
Corporate Secretary Windy Andale said the vessel’s return is part of ASDP’s effort to optimize its fleet and maintain smooth services on one of Indonesia’s busiest ferry crossings.
“With its large carrying capacity, KMP Portlink VII can help accelerate the movement of vehicles and passengers, reduce queues and maintain the flow of ferry traffic at Gilimanuk Port,” Andale said.
The vessel can carry up to 600 passengers per trip, as well as a combination of around 30 trucks and 100 small vehicles per crossing.
After repairs and repainting, the ship underwent sea trials to ensure its engine, navigation systems and other operational components met maritime safety requirements. The tests confirmed the vessel was seaworthy and ready for service, the company said.
KMP Portlink VII began operating on the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route at 1300 WIB (0600 GMT) on Saturday.
Traffic Surge ahead of Nyepi
Traffic at Gilimanuk Port and Ketapang Port has increased in recent days as travelers and logistics operators move goods and passengers before the temporary suspension of ferry crossings during Nyepi.
Since Thursday, the port parking area has been crowded with motorcycles, private cars, buses and logistics trucks. Truck queues were reported to have stretched up to about 2 km, reaching the area near Gilimanuk Market.
Arief Eko, branch manager of ASDP’s Ketapang office, said the rise in truck traffic was partly driven by logistics operators seeking to ship goods before freight restrictions linked to the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday period.
At the same time, some passengers opted to travel earlier to avoid the suspension of ferry services during Nyepi celebrations, he added.
To manage traffic, ASDP and local authorities have adjusted vessel operations and queue management at the ports. In certain situations, passenger vehicles such as motorcycles and private cars are prioritized to maintain public mobility, while trucks are served gradually depending on ship capacity.
Java-Bali up 2.5% YoY
Data from the Gilimanuk port monitoring post showed 220 ferry trips between Bali and Java during the 24-hour period on March 13.
Passenger traffic from Bali to Java reached 37,877 people, with 12,176 vehicles comprising 6,066 motorcycles, 3,573 small vehicles, 2,154 trucks and 383 buses.
Cumulatively, between D-10 and D-8 before the holiday period, passenger traffic from Bali to Java reached 97,572, with 31,045 vehicles recorded.
Meanwhile, data from the Ketapang monitoring post recorded 231 crossings during the same 24-hour period. Passenger traffic from Java to Bali reached 26,173, up 6.2% from the same period last year.
Truck traffic reached 2,604 vehicles, a 10.8% increase year-on-year, while buses totaled 635 units, up 7.4%. Overall, 5,365 vehicles crossed from Java to Bali, a 2.5% rise compared with the previous year.
In total, passenger traffic from Java to Bali between D-10 and D-8 stood at 66,305 people, with 15,410 vehicles recorded.
ASDP urged travelers to follow port authorities’ instructions and prepare their journeys in advance to ensure safe and orderly crossings across the Bali Strait.