Cargo Ship Bound for Singapore Sinks, Eight Crew Evacuated in Batam Waters

A cargo ship bound for Singapore sank in the waters off Batam, Riau Islands, on Tuesday (23/6/2026). All eight crew members of KM Batam Indah 9 were successfully evacuated without injury.

The vessel had departed from Sekupang carrying electronic components. During the journey, the ship developed a leak in the stern, believed to have been caused by decayed wooden hull planks. Incoming seawater overwhelmed the vessel, causing it to sink despite the crew’s emergency efforts to control the damage.

All crew members were rescued by a passing ship and transferred to the LCT Ayu 68 for temporary shelter. One crew member, Zulkipli, 55, recounted the moments before the sinking, saying water began entering slowly before the situation became uncontrollable. “We tried to seal the leak, but the water kept coming in. The ship soon listed heavily and we had to save ourselves,” he said.

The accident report was received by a TNI Navy patrol unit from Koarmada IV via the KAL Mapor. Officers were deployed to assist the evacuation and secure the area. The patrol vessel also escorted LCT Ayu 68 to a safe point before transferring the crew aboard.

All survivors were taken to the Koarmada IV pier in Batam for medical examinations by the Koarmada IV Health Service team. Results showed all crew members were in good health with no serious injuries.

The eight evacuated crew members were identified as skipper Adenan, 47, along with Dedi Santoso, 30, Zulkipli, 55, Sumantri, 55, Azwar, 39, Murdin Siregar, 50, Lukman, 40, and M. Pirnando, 26. No fatalities were reported, and the entire evacuation process proceeded smoothly until the crew were safely brought ashore.