The launch of a high-speed catamaran between Marina Boom Port in Banyuwangi (East Java) and Denpasar (Bali), initially scheduled for June, has been postponed to July — the final details with the Denpasar mayor's office are being finalized. According to Luhur Prihadi Eki, head of the East Java Province Shipping Department, the infrastructure is already in place: a dock has been built and tested in Banyuwangi, and alternative locations on Bali are being considered — Sanur or Nusa Dua instead of the initial choice, Serangan.
The catamaran is designed for 300-400 passengers and will only carry people, without cars and cargo. The trips are planned daily, except Tuesday, when the vessel undergoes maintenance. The catamaran will depart Banyuwangi at 09:00 Java time and arrive in Denpasar at 12:30 Bali time; the return journey will start at 14:00 from Bali, finishing at 15:30 in Java. The ticket price will be 225,000 IDR in Executive class and 275,000 IDR in VIP, with the price for the return trip being 235,000 and 285,000 IDR respectively. Ticket sales will open after final approval from local authorities.
The project is supported by the Ministry of Tourism: Deputy Minister Ni Luh Puspa reminded that the development of high-speed maritime connections is part of the '3B' concept (Banyuwangi – North Bali – West Bali). Its aim is to relieve the overpopulated south of the island and redistribute tourist flows. The next step should be the opening of a line to Lovina Beach in Buleleng; a new dock will need to be built for this, and the ministry is already looking for private investors. Simultaneously, Banyuwangi Airport is preparing to receive international flights: if the project is approved, future plans include connecting the airport and Lovina with direct catamarans.
We have already written about plans to launch high-speed services between Java and Bali: earlier, the service was announced as part of a larger project to develop Marina Boom Port and expand tourist corridors to the north and west of the island. Initially, it was expected that the 300-passenger capacity catamaran would start operating in June; however, the start was postponed due to route revisions and coordination procedures.
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