Bali – To anticipate the peak of the second wave of Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 (Nataru) transportation, PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) strengthened operational services on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk shipping route connecting Java and Bali.
Corporate Secretary ASDP Shelvy Arifin explained, the movement of people during the Nataru holiday period increased this time. This is in line with the enthusiasm of the people to travel with family and relatives, coinciding with the school holidays.
“There has been a significant increase in the number of passengers using ferries during the Christmas holidays, especially those riding motorcycles and private vehicles who want to vacation with their families before the end of the year,” said Shelvy, quoted from his statement on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
He explained, based on the Ketapang Branch Data Post, ASDP recorded that 241,057 people had crossed from Ketapang Port to Gilimanuk Port on D-7 (18/12) at 08.00 WIB until the day of H (25/12) at 08.00 WIB. The peak density of the departure traffic occurred on H-2 or Saturday (23/12).
It is expected that the peak of the second wave of traffic before the end of 2023, ASDP has also prepared a number of strategies and is actively coordinating with the Land Transportation Management Agency (BPTD) as the regulator in determining the ship’s schedule, as well as with the police regarding traffic management from and to the ports, to maintain smoothness, safety, and order.
“We have prepared anticipatory measures related to queues of vehicles inside the port, one of which is the ticket screening in the buffer zone area, as one of the delaying system efforts so that vehicles do not overcrowd the port,” said Shelvy.
Furthermore, in line with the regulator’s instructions, ASDP has prepared the Bulusan Pier to support the diversion of logistics trucks from the usual LCM Ketapang route to Gilimanuk, from Bulusan to Gilimanuk.
ASDP hopes that the separation between passenger and cargo vehicles can improve operational quality and services at the Ketapang Port.
In addition, the diversion of sea transportation services for electric trucks was also redirected to the Jangkar Port (Situbondo) to Lembar (NTB). During the Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 period, Ketapang Port focuses on serving small/private vehicle users, motorcycles, and tour buses.