Banten Police Mediate Reclamation Conflict Disrupting Shipping Lane in Bojonegara

The Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the Banten Regional Police mediated a conflict related to the reclamation of the Bojonegara port in Serang Regency, Banten. The Banten Police urged all parties to comply with regulations and not harm the interests of others. The mediation was held at the Banten Police Headquarters on Wednesday (15/7/2026), led by the Deputy Director of General Criminal Investigation of the Banten Police, AKBP M. Fauzan Syahrir. The mediation invited all parties involved in the conflict. Also present were representatives from the Port Authority (KSOP), the Directorate of Navigation of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), and the Water and Air Police (Sat Polairud) of the Banten Police. The Banten Police stated that the conflict stemmed from alleged reclamation activities carried out by PT Gandasari in recent days, which have disrupted the shipping channel used by vessels heading to the special terminals of PT BAM, PT SMI, and PT Sumber Gunung Maju. Lendi, a representative of PT Batu Alam Makmur, stated that the channel depth, originally around minus 9 to minus 10 metres, is now only about minus 5 to minus 6 metres. Furthermore, since 11 July, the position of a barge has reportedly begun to block part of the channel, making it difficult for ships to enter and exit the port. ‘We do not object to the reclamation. What we ask is that a replacement channel be prepared first so that our business activities can continue,’ Lendi said. In response, PT Gandasari’s legal counsel, Jamaludin Kubud, asserted that all reclamation activities had been carried out in accordance with government permits and regulations. He stated that the company had no intention of obstructing the activities of other parties and preferred to resolve the matter through dialogue. ‘We believe all activities have been conducted according to the applicable permits and rules. If there are differences in views, it is better to resolve them by directly inspecting the field conditions,’ Jamal said. He also noted that the assessment of the shipping channel could not be decided unilaterally, as it falls under the authority of technical agencies such as the Directorate of Navigation, the Port Authority, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Moreover, the government has yet to officially designate the shipping channel. The mediation concluded with an agreement for all parties to conduct a field survey on Thursday (16/7) to examine the condition of the shipping channel, the position of the reclamation, and its impact on vessel activities. ‘The results of the survey will serve as the basis for further discussions to find a solution acceptable to all parties,’ said AKBP Fauzan Syahrir.