Motorists across parts of Bali are enduring lengthy waits at petrol stations, with some queuing for more than two hours before dawn in a growing fuel shortage affecting Denpasar and southern Badung, including the tourist hub of Kuta.
Queues Stretching Onto Streets as Stocks Run Dry
Lines at service stations across the affected areas have grown so long that vehicles are spilling out beyond station entrances and onto surrounding roads. Supplies of Pertalite, a widely used subsidised fuel, have been hardest hit, with some stations also reporting shortages of the premium product Pertamax.
Motorists say they have driven to multiple stations only to find shelves empty. At one station on Jalan Raya Sesetan in Denpasar, waiting customers were informed that Pertalite had completely sold out. Similar scenes played out at various other sites across Denpasar and Kuta.
One resident described the toll the shortage is taking on daily life. "This morning, my wife lined up at 4.30am and waited for two-and-a-half hours before finally being able to refuel. It's crazy," he said.
Authorities Blame Distribution Disruption, Promise Gradual Restoration
Ida Bagus Setiawan, head of Bali's Manpower and Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, confirmed last week that authorities were in contact with state fuel supplier Pertamina and distributors to address the problem.
Setiawan pointed to a distribution issue linked to the Pesanggaran depot and the Manggis Transit Terminal as the technical cause of the supply disruption. "It is currently being restored gradually," he said, while also noting that officials were still awaiting more detailed information about the full extent of the disruption and its impact on broader fuel availability across the island.
Availability is currently reported to vary significantly depending on location, leaving some areas better supplied than others.
Not the First Time: Bali Hit by Fuel Shortages Before
This is not an isolated event for Bali. The island experienced similar supply disruptions in late August, when long queues also formed at service stations across various parts of the region. The recurrence raises questions about the resilience of fuel distribution infrastructure serving one of the world's most visited tourist destinations.
Australians travelling to or currently in Bali should be aware that conditions may affect transport and daily logistics. For those following developments on the island, our earlier coverage of Bali cracking down on sponsored social media posts, with Australian travellers facing potential arrest, highlights the broader regulatory environment visitors are navigating.
What Happens Next
Authorities say the distribution network is being progressively restored, but have stopped short of providing a firm timeline for when supplies will return to normal levels. Motorists in the affected areas are being advised to expect continued variability in fuel availability between locations as the restoration effort continues.
