Ministry of Transportation to Launch Water Taxi from Bali Airport to Seminyak and Canggu

Water Taxi in Bali


Indonesia government is currently exploring the development of a new transportation mode in Bali: water taxis.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Lollan Andy Sutomo Panjaitan, stated that the main goal of this initiative is to reduce traffic congestion, particularly for routes to and from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.

“This water taxi program is an alternative to reduce traffic congestion. Other programs will continue as part of our planning efforts to ease congestion in Bali, especially from the airport to tourist destinations like Canggu,” said Lollan at the office of Ministry of Transportation on Tuesday (August 5, 2025).

He explained that licensing procedures are currently being accelerated, including coordination between ministries and agencies, to ease collaboration between the central and regional governments.

This also includes permits from other institutions such as environmental and marine spatial use licenses.

“But the most important thing is a comprehensive study. We need in-depth assessments on socio-cultural aspects and interconnectivity especially concerning sea contours, marine factors, and the natural layout which must all be taken into consideration along with the projected impacts. Hopefully, we can find a suitable location with manageable environmental effects,” Lollan said.

He also noted that many factors are being considered, including economic feasibility studies for construction and operational costs.

“There are also socio-cultural aspects in Bali that need to be taken into account, things like local regulations, religious sites, and other rules that must be complied with. That’s why ongoing coordination is crucial,” he added, as quoted from Kompas.com.

Cut Down Travel Time

The Ministry of Transportation is planning to operate water taxis from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to popular tourist areas like Seminyak, Kuta, and Canggu. Lollan Andy Sutomo stated that using water taxis could cut down travel time from 2 hours to just 20 minutes.

“If we look at current indications, traveling by land takes around 1 to 2 hours. Based on early projections, traveling by sea could hopefully be done in just 20 minutes,” he said during the press briefing at the Ministry’s Jakarta office on Tuesday (August 5, 2025).

He also mentioned that his department has already begun cross-agency collaboration, including with local governments. PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry has been appointed as the operator, while Udayana University has been tasked with providing research support.

He added that the bureaucratic process is being accelerated to implement the water taxi program.

“Synchronization between national and regional programs has been established. And in terms of other matters like construction permits especially those under the Ministry of Transportation we are ready to facilitate the process to speed things up,” he said.

Working with the Ministry of Tourism

Previously, Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhy presented the plan to develop a water taxi system along Bali’s western coastline.

The service would run from the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport area (Sekeh Beach) to Kuta Beach, Legian Beach, Seminyak Beach, Canggu Beach, and all the way to Uluwatu Beach.

The operation is aimed at supporting the growth of domestic tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.

“The use of water taxis will cut down travel time from the airport to tourism destinations, improve mobility, and provide direct access to various tourist spots. It will also ease traffic congestion on land and offer an alternative mode of transportation for both locals and tourists,” said the Minister in a press release on Tuesday (February 4, 2025).



Sources: CNBC Indonesia, Kompas.com
Feat Image: via Pelindo

LATEST

Andrzej Barski

Director of Seven Stones Indonesia

Andrzej is Co-owner/ Founder and Director of Seven Stones Indonesia. He was born in the UK to Polish parents and has been living in Indonesia for more than 33-years. He is a skilled writer, trainer and marketer with a deep understanding of Indonesia and its many cultures after spending many years travelling across the archipelago from North Sumatra to Irian Jaya.

His experience covers Marketing, Branding, Advertising, Publishing, Real Estate and Training for 5-Star Hotels and Resorts in Bali and Jakarta, which has given him a passion for the customer experience. He’s a published author and a regular contributor to local and regional publications. His interests include conservation, eco-conscious initiatives, spirituality and motorcycles. Andrzej speaks English and Indonesian.

Terje H. Nilsen

Director of Seven Stones Indonesia

Terje is from Norway and has been living in Indonesia for over 20-years. He first came to Indonesia as a child and after earning his degree in Business Administration from the University of Agder in Norway, he moved to Indonesia in 1993, where he has worked in leading positions in education and the fitness/ wellness industries all over Indonesia including Jakarta, Banjarmasin, Medan and Bali.

He was Co-owner and CEO of the Paradise Property Group for 10-years and led the company to great success. He is now Co-owner/ Founder and Director of Seven Stones Indonesia offering market entry services for foreign investors, legal advice, sourcing of investments and in particular real estate investments. He has a soft spot for eco-friendly and socially sustainable projects and investments, while his personal business strengths are in property law, tourism trends, macroeconomics, Indonesian government and regulations. His personal interests are in sport, adventure, history and spiritual experiences.

Terje’s leadership, drive and knowledge are recognised across many industries and his unrivalled network of high level contacts in government and business spans the globe. He believes you do good and do well but always in that order. Terje speaks English, Indonesian and Norwegian.

Contact Our Consultants

[wpforms id=”43785″]

Ridwan Jasin Zachrie

CFO of Seven Stones Indonesia, Jakarta

Ridwan is one of Indonesia’s top executives with a long and illustrious career in the financial world. He holds several professional certifications including being a Certified Business Valuer (CBV) issued by the Australian Academy of Finance and Management; Broker-Dealer Representative (WPPE); and The Directorship Certification for Directors and Commissioners, issued by the Indonesian Institute of Commissioners and Directors.

His experience includes being the Managing Director at one of the top investment banking groups in the region, the Recapital Group, the CFO at State-owned enterprises in fishery industry and the CEO at Tanri Abeng & Son Holding. He’s also been an Independent Commissioner in several Financial Service companies and on the Audit and Risk Committee at Bank BTPN Tbk, Berau Coal Energy Tbk, Aetra Air Jakarta as well as working for Citibank, Bank Mandiri and HSBC. His last position was as CFO at PT Citra Putra Mandiri – OSO Group.

Ridwan has won a number of prestigious awards including the Best CFO Awards 2019 (Institute of Certified Management Accountant Australia-Indonesia); Asia Pacific Young Business Leader awarded by Asia 21 Network New York USA (Tokyo 2008); UK Alumni Business Awards 2008 awarded by the British Council; and The Most Inspiring Human Resources Practitioners’ version of Human Capital Magazine 2010.

He’s a member of the Board of Trustees of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law, Trisakti University, Co-Founder of the Paramadina Public Policy Institute and actively writes books, publications and articles in the mass media. He co-authored “Korupsi Mengorupsi Indonesia” in 2009, which helps those with an interest in understanding governance in Indonesia and the critical issue of corruption. Ridwan speaks Indonesian and English.

Per Fredrik Ecker

Managing Director of Seven Stones Indonesia, Jakarta

Per is the Managing Director of the Seven Stones Indonesia (SSI) Jakarta office and has more than 25-years’ experience in Indonesia, China, and Western Europe. He previously worked in senior management positions with Q-Free ASA, Siemens AG, and other companies in the telecom sector. Over the last six years, he has been the Chairman of the Indonesia-Norway Business Council (INBC) and recently become elected to be on the board of EuroCham Indonesia.

His most recent experience is within Intelligent Transport Solutions (ITS), Telecom, and other sectors within the Indonesian market. He is today through his position in SSI and by representing Norway Connect, promoting Nordic and European companies that would like to explore business opportunities in the Indonesian market. He’s also playing an active role to help create the Nordic House concept in Jakarta that will provide an excellent platform for Nordic companies entering Indonesia, where they’ll find a community that can offer support with trusted information and affordable services to enter this market.