In western Bali, traffic through Gilimanuk is running into problems again. Queues at the port stretch for kilometres. Anyone heading from Bali to Java or back should allow extra travel time.
The line of freight vehicles is growing especially fast. When traffic is heavy, the port fills up quickly, and the situation is made worse by upgrade work on the berths in Gilimanuk and on the Java side.
The main reason on the Bali side is the reconstruction of one of the berths. Its load capacity is being raised from 30 to 50 tonnes. The work only began on August 21, 2026, so for now the berth can handle only limited traffic.
At the same time, infrastructure is being upgraded at Ketapang port in Banyuwangi. There, a pontoon berth is being converted into a permanent Movable Bridge (MB) — a loading bridge with a capacity of up to 50 tonnes.
To cut the queues, the operator of the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route (ASDP) has increased the number of ferries. More than 20 vessels are currently working the route, including support craft.
Even so, the extra vessels cannot fully solve the problem. Mooring, loading and unloading times depend on the weather and the strength of the sea currents. As a result, ASDP has to adjust its operating pattern according to traffic volumes and conditions in the strait.
On the Java side, the Bulusan area is used as a buffer zone to manage the flow. If there are too many vehicles, they may be held back on the approaches to Ketapang to keep traffic from piling up inside the port.
In the longer term, the berth upgrades should increase the crossing's capacity and make it easier to handle heavy freight vehicles.
If you are in Bali now and planning a trip to Java, allow extra time for the crossing at Gilimanuk.
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