Currently, the two islands are connected by public ferry on the sea route between Padang Bai Harbour (on the northeast of Bali) and Lembar Harbour (on the southwest coast of Lombok). Bali and NTB provincial administrations would soon formulate development plans for Amed Port in Karangasem and Ampenan Port in Ampenan.
It was becoming difficult to increase the terminal capacities at the current ferry ports in Lembar, Lombok, and at Padang Bai in Bali. On the other hand, the flow of passengers through both ports continues to rise annually. It is hoped that the new sea route will accommodate the rapid increase in passengers that travel between the two islands. The NTB government hopes that the development will bring new life to Ampenan port, which has laid dormant since Lombok’s main port facilities were moved from Ampenan to Lembar Harbour in 1976.
Today, only ruins of the old port are visible, with rotting pylons extending out into the sea being the only testimony to the once-thriving port that serviced ships from around the world and was the main port of trade for Lombok. The eventual opening of the Karangasem - Ampenan ferry will offer an alternative to people who wish to travel between Bali and Lombok and would shorten travelling times for many. Lembar Harbour is around one hours’ drive south of the cities and over an hour from Senggigi, whereas Ampenan is less than 15 minutes away from both key destinations.