Central Java Bappeda Awaits Design Details for Giant Sea Wall, Groundbreaking Set for October 2026
The Head of the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of Central Java Province, Yusmanto, has revealed that the groundbreaking for the construction of the giant sea wall in the Pantura area of Central Java is scheduled to begin in October 2026. However, he admitted that he has not yet received the Detail Engineering Design (DED) from the North Coast of Java Management Authority (BOPPJ).
“For this giant sea wall, the Authority plans to hold the groundbreaking around October. But regarding the construction form, the exact location, and the length in kilometres, we have not yet received confirmation,” Yusmanto said during an interview in Semarang on Friday (17/7/2026).
He acknowledged that his office has not received the DED for the Pantura giant sea wall project. Nevertheless, Yusmanto stated that Bappeda Central Java will follow the decisions and priorities of the BOPPJ. “We suggest, propose, and strongly encourage that the Semarang Bay area be completed first,” he said.
He added that after Semarang Bay, Bappeda Central Java suggests that the construction of the giant sea wall be continued to the eastern part of Pantura, namely Demak and beyond. After that, the next priority is the western region of Central Java’s Pantura. “Kendal and Batang are relatively safe because they are already fortified by special economic zones. They will maintain that, so the community is already safe. The second priority is Pekalongan, both the regency and the city, then Tegal,” Yusmanto stated.
He explained that land subsidence on the coast of Semarang averages 12 centimetres per year, while in Demak and Pekalongan it can reach 16 centimetres per year. This land subsidence is accompanied by rising sea levels. “So the land is sinking and the sea is rising. The worst points are from Tegal, Pekalongan, then Semarang, to Demak,” Yusmanto said.
Regarding the construction of the giant sea wall in Semarang Bay, he explained that the technical details are still being studied. “The base of Semarang Bay is not sand, but mud. They are also learning from the toll road project (Semarang-Demak) which reportedly used millions of bamboo poles. It was backfilled but still subsiding, so this is a lesson for the giant sea wall construction,” he said.
According to Yusmanto, the giant sea wall on the Pantura is planned to be built 12 miles from the shoreline. He believes this will pose a challenge during the construction process. “Whether the construction will use sand like in Dubai, or be massive like a rock dam, or a combination like the one used for the toll road. Each area has its own characteristics,” he said. “So when the Authority works (building the giant sea wall) from Serang to Banyuwangi, the construction methods will certainly differ.”
When asked about funding, Yusmanto said he did not yet know whether the giant sea wall on the North Coast of Java would be fully funded by the State Budget (APBN) or if local governments would have to contribute. “This is still being studied by the BOPPJ,” he said.