Anak Krakatau Volcano Status Raised to Alert Level III, Ships in Sunda Strait Warned
The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has raised the activity status of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait between Lampung and Banten from Level II (Waspada) to Level III (Siaga). Ships transiting the Sunda Strait have been urged to exercise caution.
“In connection with the increase in the activity status of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait waters to Level III (Siaga), based on official information from the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), all Masters, Ship Owners/Operators, Shipping Companies, Ship Agents, and all maritime transport service users operating in the Sunda Strait waters are hereby advised to increase vigilance for the safety of navigation,” stated Head of the Banten Class I Port Authority Office (KSOP), Raden Yogie Nugraha, in a statement on Saturday (4/7/2026).
The following five directives were issued: 1. All vessels transiting the Sunda Strait waters must increase vigilance regarding the potential for volcanic activity from Mount Anak Krakatau, which may include eruptions, ejection of volcanic material, volcanic ash, and disturbances to navigational safety. 2. Masters must continuously monitor official information regarding the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau issued by PVMBG, BMKG, and other relevant government agencies. 3. Vessels are prohibited from approaching within a 5-kilometre radius of the active crater of Mount Anak Krakatau, in accordance with the recommendations of PVMBG, for as long as the Level III (Siaga) status remains in effect. 4. Masters must conduct voyage planning by taking into account weather conditions, the direction of volcanic ash distribution, and navigational safety information issued by authorised agencies. 5. Should any indications of danger that could disrupt navigational safety be detected, Masters must immediately take necessary evasive action and report to the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), Coastal Radio Station, the nearest Harbourmaster, or other relevant authorities. 6. All shipping operators must prioritise navigational safety in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, stated that the status increase was based on visual and instrumental monitoring results indicating a significant rise in the volcano’s activity in recent times. “This increase in activity indicates a supply of magma to the surface, therefore the public and tourists are advised not to approach the active crater within the recommended radius,” Lana Saria said, as reported by Antara on Friday (3/7).