DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – A limited operational trial of Mertasari Jetty in Sanur is scheduled to take place in mid-February 2026, as part of efforts to provide an alternative sea crossing point and help reduce traffic congestion in the Sanur area.
The jetty, located east of the Muntig Siokan area, is expected to serve as an alternative departure point for marine transportation, easing pressure on existing routes that are heavily used by both residents and tourists. The plan was confirmed by the President Director of Perumda BPS Denpasar, I Nyoman Putrawan, on Monday (February 2, 2026).
According to Putrawan, the trial operation is set for February 18, 2026, while final operational preparations are currently underway. He said the process has involved extensive coordination with the local customary village authorities.
“We have gone through a long coordination process, including with Desa Adat Intaran, which is part of PT Pengelola Mertasari Bersama as the jetty management entity,” Putrawan said.
He added that discussions with representatives of Desa Adat Intaran have already taken place and that most regulatory requirements have been fulfilled. “Around 18 permits have been processed so far. At this stage, only one specific technical permit remains under review,” he explained.
Despite the remaining permit, the limited trial will proceed by prioritizing local marine transport operators. Based on data from Desa Adat Intaran, approximately 60 fast boat operators are registered under the local fast boat association and are considered ready to use the jetty facilities.
“This initial trial will focus on local business operators. The operation will then be gradually expanded to involve other parties, including associations and operators outside Sanur, while we wait for all regulations to be fully completed,” Putrawan said.
He emphasized that Perumda BPS, as a port business entity owned by the Denpasar city administration, is responsible for ensuring that all jetty operations comply with existing regulations. The Mertasari Jetty is expected to become an alternative sea crossing option while helping to redistribute marine transport activity, which has long been concentrated in northern Sanur.
Separately, Denpasar Transportation Agency head I Ketut Sriawan said the operation of Mertasari Jetty aligns with broader efforts to reduce traffic congestion, particularly along the By Pass route toward Sanur. This corridor has experienced persistent congestion due to tourist movements to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.
Sriawan noted that the Mertasari Beach area is well suited to function as a parking hub and sea crossing point. “This will reduce parking pressure in Sanur’s tourism zones, especially along Jalan Danau Tamblingan, while supporting better integration between land and sea transportation,” he said.
He also highlighted that the Sanur–Serangan area has been designated as a National Tourism Strategic Area. The development of Mertasari Jetty is expected to support local economic growth by involving micro, small, and medium enterprises, as well as strengthening the role of customary villages in tourism-related activities.
This development follows earlier plans announced by the Denpasar city administration to reactivate Mertasari Jetty as part of long-term traffic management and marine transport restructuring in southern Bali.