Govt Accelerates Maritime Navigation Digitalization with Smart Buoy

RRI.CO.ID, Cilacap - The Transportation Ministry is accelerating the digitalization of maritime navigation along the strategic Tanjung Intan shipping lane in Cilacap, Central Java, to safeguard national energy distribution, in collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) through the deployment of smart buoy technology.

The initiative, led by the Directorate General of Sea Transportation through its Directorate of Navigation, seeks to modernize Indonesia’s Marine Navigation Aids (SBNP) to improve shipping safety and ensure the smooth flow of national logistics and energy supplies.

Director of Navigation Hernadi Tri Cahyanto said the ministry was strengthening its navigation system through strategic research and operational cooperation with BRIN. “We are reinforcing strategic collaboration with BRIN to implement smart buoy technology in the strategic Tanjung Intan Cilacap shipping lane,” Hernadi said on Saturday, February 14, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He said the area was selected for its vital role as a regional logistics hub and a primary national energy distribution route. The Tanjung Intan shipping lane serves tanker traffic to Pertamina’s Refinery Unit IV in Cilacap, which has a production capacity of 348,000 barrels per day. Disruptions to navigation in the area could potentially affect national economic stability.

Hernadi said the smart buoy technology not only monitors buoy positions but also provides real-time data on the reliability of navigation aids. “If there is a disturbance or positional shift, the system will provide instant notification so that handling can be faster and more accurate,” he said.

He added that the initiative at the Tanjung Intan Navigation District is expected to serve as a national pilot project for 25 other navigation districts managing a total of 5,468 navigation aid units across Indonesia. Digitalization of the SBNP system would enable more measurable maintenance and reduce the risk of ship accidents in narrow sea lanes that could disrupt national energy distribution, he said.

Hernadi also conducted a direct inspection of smart buoy unit 19 and observed a demonstration of the integrated digital monitoring system, which displays the performance of the buoy's lights and sensors.

The event also marked the presentation of a certificate of appreciation for research and innovation collaboration in developing a redesigned 2.5-meter-diameter beacon buoy equipped with smart buoy features.

Hernadi said the award symbolized synergy between the research and operational sectors in delivering practical innovations with a tangible impact on shipping safety and national energy security.

BRIN head Arif Satria said the development of smart buoy technology aligns with the government’s priorities to strengthen the maritime sector, advance digital transformation, and reinforce national energy resilience. “Through a real-time monitoring system and precise data, the safety of shipping lanes in strategic areas such as Tanjung Intan Cilacap, which is a vital national energy zone, can be ensured more accurately, responsively, and in an integrated manner,” he said. ***