Indonesia's Ketapang Ferry Crossing Congestion Prompts Government and Operator Action

Local officials in Banyuwangi have asked the Indonesian Ministry of Transport to address chronic traffic jams on the Ketapang‑Gilimanuk ferry route, a key link between Java, Bali and the Lesser Sunda Islands. Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani proposed widening the national road to the port, adding larger ferries of at least 3,000 GT, and expanding the movable‑bridge berth to handle vehicles up to 50 tons.

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, which operates 29 vessels on the route, said it is adjusting service patterns to relieve queues caused by two long‑distance ferries being out of service, adverse weather and holiday traffic. The company is redirecting cargo traffic to regular ferries and prioritising passenger and bus movements to keep mobility flowing.

Both the regional government’s infrastructure requests and ASDP’s operational changes aim to improve crossing efficiency and support national logistics that depend on the Bali Strait link.