BULELENG, DEWATA.NEWS – Port activity at Celukan Bawang in North Bali is seeing a dual surge as post-Eid return travel coincides with the arrival of an international cruise ship carrying hundreds of foreign tourists.
On Wednesday (March 25, 2026), the cruise ship MV Seven Seas Mariner docked at Celukan Bawang Port, bringing 627 international tourists along with 456 crew members. The visitors are scheduled to explore destinations in North Bali before continuing their journey to Tanjung Perak Port.
At the same time, the port is also handling the return flow of Eid holiday travelers. A day earlier, on Tuesday (March 24), the pioneer vessel KM Sabuk Nusantara 74 transported 210 passengers from Sapeken, marking the start of increased return movement through the port.
Additional passenger services are scheduled, with KM Sabuk Nusantara 51 set to operate on March 28 and April 2, 2026.
General Manager of Pelindo Celukan Bawang Branch, Mochammad Imron, said the port is managing both passenger flows simultaneously while maintaining operational standards.
“Handling Eid return traffic is our priority, but at the same time we continue to provide optimal service for international cruise ship visits. All operations are carried out with a focus on safety, security, and comfort,” he said.
Head of the Class IV Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP) Celukan Bawang, Taufikur Rahman, added that monitoring and coordination efforts have been strengthened to ensure smooth passenger movement.
“KSOP, together with all related agencies, continues to enhance supervision to ensure maritime safety and the smooth flow of return travel at Celukan Bawang Port,” he stated.
Authorities confirmed that multiple agencies including KSOP, Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, Health Quarantine Office, Police, and the Indonesian Navy, are working together to maintain efficient port operations.
With both returning domestic travelers and international cruise passengers arriving at the same time, Celukan Bawang Port is currently functioning as both a transportation hub and a key entry point for tourism in North Bali.