House Urges Comprehensive Review of Ferry Inspection Systems

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Lawmaker Sudjatmiko of Commission V of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) urged ferry operators not to purchase used vessels solely because they are inexpensive. He stressed that passenger and crew safety must be the top priority, not merely a matter of fulfilling administrative requirements.

He said the motor vessel KM Virgo Transport 8 tragedy in Banjarmasin should serve as a catalyst for a comprehensive evaluation of the systems for monitoring and inspecting the seaworthiness of vessels operating in Indonesia.

“We should not wait for a tragedy to discuss vessel seaworthiness. Vessel operators should routinely inspect vessels to ensure they are seaworthy and safe before setting sail,” Sudjatmiko said in a press statement in Jakarta on Monday, September 14, 2026.

He noted that serious attention must be given to aging vessels, including those that previously operated in other countries and were later purchased to resume service in Indonesia.

KM Virgo Transport 8, for example, is an older vessel originally from Japan, previously named the Ferry Kurushima. It was purchased and put back into service in Indonesia, including on relatively long routes such as Surabaya–Banjarmasin.

“Don’t just buy a ship because it’s cheap or technically still operational. What matters most is that the vessel is of sufficient quality and in proper condition to carry passengers, especially on long routes,” he said.

He urged the Ministry of Transportation not to overlook the condition of vessels still in operation. He emphasized that testing and inspections to ensure a vessel’s seaworthiness must be conducted strictly and thoroughly, and not limited to administrative checks alone.

“Checking maintenance records and the Certificate of Seaworthiness (SLB) is not just an administrative matter. Inspections must be accompanied by a thorough physical examination of the vessel,” he said.

“Safety equipment, fire extinguishers, engine condition, and all components directly related to maritime safety must be thoroughly inspected and ensured to function properly,” Sudjatmiko added.

According to him, ensuring maritime safety is a shared responsibility between vessel operators and the government as regulator. Therefore, oversight must be carried out consistently and transparently so the public can be assured that the vessels they board are safe.

“Check everything. Don’t wait for an accident before conducting an evaluation. Ensure that every vessel in operation meets safety standards and has truly passed the seaworthiness test,” he said.

This was not the only maritime incident to occur in Indonesia in 2026. In July, KM Nurul Salsa sank in waters west of Polassi Island in the Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi. Three people died, 14 remain missing, and 58 survived.

Data from the Ministry of Transportation’s Maritime Court show that 111 ship accidents were recorded from 2020 to 2026. The breakdown is as follows:

• Collisions: 40 cases (36 percent).

• Ship sinkings: 28 cases (24 percent).

• Vessel groundings: 24 cases (22 percent).

• Vessel fires: 20 cases (18 percent). (Misni Parjiati)