Tanker delay worsens fuel queues across Bali

Denpasar — Pertamina said a tanker’s anchoring problem delayed fuel unloading at Bali’s Sanggaran terminal from 06:30 WITA to about 22:00 WITA on Oct. 14, worsening petrol queues in Denpasar, Klungkung and other parts of the island.

The delay disrupted distribution rather than indicating that Indonesia’s national fuel stocks had run out. Pertamina President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri said the tanker had difficulty deploying its anchor while preparing to discharge its cargo. The delay pushed unloading back by about 15 hours and 30 minutes.

Why the delay matters to Bali residents and visitors

For foreign residents and visitors, the immediate effect was practical: obtaining petrol could require long waits at service stations, particularly in and around Denpasar. The disruption also affected travel between areas because queues added to road congestion. Pertamina said fuel remained available in national stocks, but deliveries to stations were slowed by the tanker problem and related distribution constraints.

Reports said the disruption contributed to queues in Denpasar, Klungkung and other Bali areas. The Sanggaran terminal in Denpasar was among the locations affected by the delayed unloading, while Pertamina also cited distribution conditions affecting supplies across the island.

Pertamina said the unloading schedule, originally set for 06:30 WITA, moved to approximately 22:00 WITA on Oct. 14. The company’s explanation followed several days of fuel queues and shortages reported at petrol stations. The national stock position, officials said, remained secure even as local distribution was delayed.

Sources

• detikBali — Indonesian news report
• RRI — public radio news report