The earthquake that struck several areas in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)\nhas not only affected communities and infrastructure but also tested the\nresilience of energy distribution in the affected regions. The severing\nof the Ruteng\u2013Labuan Bajo land route forced fuel distribution to be\nimmediately rerouted to ensure the community\u2019s energy needs continue to\nbe met.<\/p>\n
PT Pertamina (Persero) Chief Commissioner Mochamad Iriawan directly\ninspected the Labuan Bajo Fuel Terminal in NTT on Tuesday (18\/8\/2026) to\nensure fuel supplies remain secure and energy distribution runs smoothly\namid the emergency situation.<\/p>\n
One of the swift measures taken by Pertamina was to shift\ndistribution from land to sea routes. Less than two days after the\nRuteng\u2013Labuan Bajo access was cut, Pertamina dispatched a ferry carrying\n11 fuel tanker trucks to Labuan Bajo.<\/p>\n
The move was made to prevent the distribution disruption from\ndeveloping into a fuel shortage in the earthquake-affected areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlhamdulillah, it was an extraordinary help, so until now there has\nbeen no shortage here,\u201d said Iriawan.<\/p>\n
According to Iriawan, the situation demonstrates the importance of an\nenergy distribution system capable of adapting when transport\ninfrastructure is disrupted by disasters. The speed of decision-making\non the ground is a key factor in maintaining supply continuity.<\/p>\n
He said the visit to Labuan Bajo was also to see firsthand the\ncondition of Pertamina Group workers who continue to carry out their\nduties in affected areas, including West Manggarai, East Manggarai, and\nRuteng.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came because I wanted to meet my heroes. These are the heroes, a\nsmall number of whom are here, while the rest are in the field,\u201d said\nIriawan.<\/p>\n
Iriawan said coordination with Pertamina teams in several areas shows\nthat fuel supply conditions are generally still secure. Before\ninspecting the Labuan Bajo Fuel Terminal, he held a virtual meeting with\nteams in Reo, Ende, Bima, and Maumere.<\/p>\n
From those reports, fuel stocks in most areas are above normal\nlevels, with supply resilience estimated at around 11 days before the\nnext shipment arrives. This provides room for Pertamina to maintain\ndistribution continuity while adjusting delivery patterns to\ninfrastructure conditions on the ground.<\/p>\n
The land access from Reo, which had previously been cut off, has also\nbeen reopened. The restoration of this access is expected to further\nsmooth fuel distribution to earthquake-affected areas.<\/p>\n
However, energy demand in several areas has changed. Iriawan noted\nthat kerosene demand has increased, so Pertamina is coordinating with\nauthorities to anticipate additional quota needs.<\/p>\n
The Governor of NTT, he said, had also submitted a request for\nadditional supply several hours before his visit to the Labuan Bajo Fuel\nTerminal.<\/p>\n
In disaster conditions, energy availability plays a strategic role\nbecause fuel is needed to support public mobility, operational vehicles,\nlogistics distribution, and emergency response activities. For this\nreason, Pertamina is ensuring that fuel distribution does not stop even\nthough some infrastructure has suffered damage.<\/p>\n
Iriawan identified Reo as one of the areas where Pertamina assets\nsuffered the most severe damage from the earthquake. Despite these\nconditions, workers continue to carry out their duties to maintain\nservice and energy distribution. \u201cReo in particular is the area where\nour assets were most devastated. But, alhamdulillah, the team remains\nspirited there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also expressed condolences to the people of NTT who were victims\nof the earthquake, including residents who lost their homes and family\nmembers.<\/p>\n
The response to the fuel distribution disruption in NTT also\nhighlights the importance of inter-regional solidarity in maintaining\nenergy security. Supplies from Bima were sent by sea to support the\nneeds of Labuan Bajo and Ruteng when land routes were obstructed.<\/p>\n
Iriawan appreciated the workers and ship crews who made quick\ndecisions and were able to find alternatives amid the emergency\nsituation.<\/p>\n
According to him, this reflects the spirit of One Pertamina, namely\ncross-regional cooperation to ensure the community\u2019s energy needs remain\nmet while supporting disaster response efforts.<\/p>\n
Pertamina has confirmed that monitoring of fuel stocks and\ndistribution in all affected areas will continue. The company has also\nplaced workers on standby 24 hours a day to ensure the energy needs of\nthe NTT community are maintained. \u201cWe are ready to work 24 hours to\nensure the energy supply for the community is maintained,\u201d said\nIriawan.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ntt-earthquake-tests-energy-distribution-11-fuel-trucks-sent-by-sea-1787100627", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }