Bali Traffic Chaos: Holiday Surge and Road Conditions Cause Major Delays at Gilimanuk Port
Denpasar, Bali – A surge in travelers combined with inadequate road infrastructure led to significant traffic congestion on routes leading to Gilimanuk Harbor on Sunday, March 15, 2026, resulting in 17 travelers fainting due to the delays. Bali Governor Wayan Koster attributed the gridlock to the increased volume of people and logistical transport, exacerbated by the condition of the roads.
Holiday Travel Spike Fuels Congestion
The congestion stemmed from a substantial increase in both domestic and international tourism. According to Governor Koster, domestic tourist numbers have risen by 19 percent, whereas foreign tourist arrivals have increased by 6 percent, leading to a significant influx of people traveling to and from Bali. This surge coincided with a high volume of logistics trucks transporting goods, further compounding the traffic issues.
“We didn’t expect it to be that busy, but the condition of our roads is also inadequate,” Koster stated in Denpasar. He highlighted the challenging terrain of the Denpasar-Gilimanuk route, characterized by numerous bends and inclines, which slows down traffic, particularly behind slower-moving logistics vehicles.
ASDP Apologizes and Implements Measures to Alleviate Congestion
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero), the operator of ferry services at Gilimanuk Port, issued an apology for the inconvenience experienced by passengers heading to Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java. ASDP Secretary Windy Andale acknowledged the heavy traffic flow and expressed regret for the disruptions.
To mitigate the congestion, Pier III of Ketapang Port implemented a full ‘arrival and departure unloading’ (TBB) pattern on March 15, 2026, designed to expedite the processing of vessels and reduce queues at Gilimanuk Port. “The implementation of the full TBB pattern at Pier III of Ketapang Harbor will begin today, March 15 2026, as part of the acceleration of services,” said Windy Andale.
Ongoing Concerns and Infrastructure Needs
The incident underscores the need for improvements to the road infrastructure connecting Denpasar and Gilimanuk to accommodate the growing volume of traffic, particularly during peak holiday seasons. The challenging road conditions, with their numerous curves and inclines, contribute significantly to congestion, especially when slower-moving logistics vehicles are present.