Extreme Weather Contributes to Increased Maritime Accident Risks in Ujung Kulon Waters. Ongoing extreme weather conditions remain one of the primary factors contributing to the high risk of maritime accidents, particularly along shipping routes adjacent to the waters of Ujung Kulon National Park.
One such incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, February 1, 2025, when the tugboat Daya 28 and barge DBS 3028 ran aground in the southern coastal waters of Ujung Kulon National Park, specifically in the Alor Bau area of the Karang Ranjang Block, PTN Section Region II, Handeuleum Island. The vessels were en route from Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi, to Bojonegara, Cilegon.
All 11 crew members were safely rescued with the assistance of local fishermen who happened to be near the incident site. The fishermen also helped transport the crew so they could report the incident to the nearest Ujung Kulon National Park Office, the Legon Pakis Resort Office, on February 2, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. WIB.
Following the incident, PT Nawasena Samudera Indonesia, the owner of the tugboat and barge, reported the grounding to the Class III Labuan Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (UPP Labuan). This agency is authorized to carry out maritime safety and security functions, including the investigation of vessel accidents, as stipulated under Law No. 17 of 2008 concerning Shipping.
On Monday, January 3, 2025, in response to the report received through the Head of Legon Pakis Resort, the Head of PTN Region II Section, Ujang Acep, S.Hut., deployed field personnel to inspect the incident site. The findings were subsequently documented in an Incident Report. Based on the field inspection, no coal spillage was detected, as the barge was sailing without cargo. Personnel from Ujung Kulon National Park then evacuated the crew to the PTN Region II Handeuleum Section Office in Ujungjaya Village. The vessel’s captain, Mus Mulyadi, expressed his gratitude to Ujung Kulon National Park for its assistance and willingness to accommodate the crew at the section office.
The Head of Ujung Kulon National Park, Ardi Andono, S.TP., M.Sc., called for enhanced preparedness and readiness among the relevant authorities in responding to recurring incidents involving grounded tugboats and barges in the waters of Ujung Kulon National Park. He also expressed hope that the stranded vessels could be removed from the park’s waters as soon as possible. This matter is closely related to ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the habitat of the Javan rhinoceros, alongside broader initiatives to conserve natural resources and ecosystems within Ujung Kulon National Park.
Environmental Impact Assessment
The Ujung Kulon National Park Authority (TNUK), in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, took prompt action in responding to the grounding incident involving the tugboat TB. Bomas Karya and barge BG. Pulau Tiga 338, owned by PT Pulau Seroja Jaya, in the waters of Tanjung Cina, Panaitan Island, within the Ujung Kulon National Park area. The incident occurred on August 17, 2023. All nine crew members were successfully evacuated by personnel from the Legon Kadam Resort, Regional Management Section (SPTN) Region I, Panaitan Island, Ujung Kulon National Park Authority, and were rescued safely.
The barge was carrying approximately 10,015.207 metric tons of coal, a portion of which spilled at the incident site and was suspected of posing a risk of pollution to the surrounding marine ecosystem.
Following the incident, the Ujung Kulon National Park Authority reported the matter to the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) and the Directorate General of Environmental Law Enforcement (Gakkum) to facilitate the necessary follow-up actions for handling the incident.
Pursuant to Law No. 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, as amended by Law No. 11 of 2020 on Job Creation, and Minister of Environment Regulation No. 7 of 2014 concerning Environmental Losses Resulting from Pollution and/or Environmental Damage, PT Pulau Seroja Jaya agreed to resolve the environmental dispute through an out-of-court settlement mechanism in accordance with Articles 81–86 of Law No. 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management.
From May 20 to 22, 2024, a team from the Directorate of Environmental Dispute Resolution under the Directorate General of Environmental Law Enforcement, Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), conducted a verification process regarding the alleged environmental pollution resulting from the grounding of TB. Bomas Karya and BG. Pulau Tiga 338 in the waters of Tanjung Cina, Panaitan Island, within the Ujung Kulon National Park area.
The verification process involved experts in ecotoxicology and pollution, applied oceanography, coral reefs, coral ecology, and economic valuation from several institutions, including the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB University), Halu Oleo University, Djuanda University, Sang Bumi Ruwa Jurai University, the Indonesian Coral Reef Foundation, and the Oceanography Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
The team analyzed hydro-oceanographic conditions, including bathymetric, current, and wind data from the verification site. These data were used as inputs for a numerical model to assess the dispersion of coal spills. In addition, seawater, sediment, and biological samples were collected to investigate the suspected coal spill and to determine whether marine pollution had occurred as a result of the vessel grounding in the waters of Panaitan Island within Ujung Kulon National Park.
Furthermore, coral reef damage assessments were conducted using the fishbone method, while the volume of spilled coal was measured using circular transect surveys.
Field verification results confirmed that coral reef damage had occurred as a result of the grounding of TB. Bomas Karya and BG. Pulau Tiga 338 in the waters of Panaitan Island, Ujung Kulon National Park. These findings were documented in an official report. The investigation into the alleged environmental pollution remains ongoing, pending laboratory test results, which will be analyzed by the Ministry’s expert team to determine the extent of the compensation area.
The data and information collected will be compiled and analyzed to calculate environmental losses in accordance with Minister of Environment Regulation No. 7 of 2014 concerning Environmental Losses Resulting from Pollution and/or Environmental Damage. Following the field verification stage, further processes will be undertaken, including clarification of the environmental dispute verification results.
Coal spill cleanup operations are being carried out by PT Indosal Inti, which was appointed through a Work Order issued by PT Pulau Seroja Jaya as the owner of the coal cargo, in coordination with the insurance provider. Cleanup activities commenced on December 8, 2024.
The recovered coal waste from Panaitan Island has been transported to PT Wahana Pemunah Limbah Industri (WPLI) in Serang for final disposal.
In his statement, the Head of Ujung Kulon National Park Authority said:
“We would like to express our appreciation to all teams involved in handling the grounding incident of TB. Bomas Karya and BG. Pulau Tiga 338 in the waters surrounding Panaitan Island. This area is a conservation zone with exceptionally high biodiversity, making the incident a matter of serious concern. We urge all vessel operators navigating through the Ujung Kulon National Park waters to comply with maritime regulations and carefully consider weather conditions before sailing. This is essential to ensure navigational safety and to safeguard the sustainability of this important conservation area.”
