Autonomous Trash Skimmer Officially Launched, Pertamina Aims for Cleaner Waters
The problem of marine debris in Indonesian waters is now receiving a new, intelligent, and environmentally friendly solution. PT Pertamina (Persero), through its Social and Environmental Responsibility programme, in collaboration with the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, officially launched and conducted an operational simulation of an automatic rubbish cleaning vessel called the Autonomous Trash Skimmer at Sekeh Beach, Badung Regency, Bali, on Wednesday.
The launch of this smart vessel was part of the World Environment Day commemoration, led directly by the President Commissioner of PT Pertamina Mochamad Iriawan and attended by the Board of Commissioners and the management of the Pertamina Group. This step represents the company’s commitment to environmental preservation, technological innovation, and community empowerment in more modern, effective, and sustainable marine waste management.
In his remarks, Mochamad Iriawan stated that marine debris poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems, health, and the appeal of maritime tourism. Responding to this challenge, Pertamina, together with Pertamina International Shipping, the Pertamina Foundation, and Patra Jasa, partnered with ITS and coastal communities to deliver the Autonomous Trash Skimmer. The vessel, which is an intelligent water robot, integrates artificial intelligence technology, autonomous navigation systems, and hybrid energy to collect waste independently or manually.
‘The problem of rubbish not only disrupts the beauty of the beaches but also poses a serious threat to environmental sustainability and Bali’s economy through the tourism sector, which is the backbone of the region’s economy. Tourists come to Bali because of the appeal of its beaches. If the beaches are full of rubbish, that appeal will diminish. In addition, the impact is also felt by fishermen because their catches decline due to the destruction of marine ecosystems,’ said Mochamad Iriawan. ‘For industries, including Pertamina, marine debris is also an operational risk because it can disrupt ship propellers and clog the cooling systems of equipment and machinery, potentially hindering the smooth distribution of energy,’ he added.
He stressed that waste management can no longer rely solely on conventional methods. Therefore, collaboration, education, and technological innovation are needed so that environmental conservation efforts can run more effectively and sustainably. The Autonomous Trash Skimmer vessel is a tangible contribution to supporting the creation of cleaner and healthier waters.
Mochamad Iriawan said that as an initial implementation step, Pertamina selected the area of The Patra Bali Resort & Villas in Badung Regency as the location for the vessel’s pilot project. The choice of location was based on the high level of coastal tourism activity, which requires sustainable waste management support to maintain environmental quality and tourist appeal.