Coal Barge Strikes Muara Sabak Bridge Fender

A coal-laden barge struck protective fenders on the Muara Sabak Bridge in East Tanjungjabung Regency, Jambi, on Saturday 23 May at approximately 12.36 Western Indonesian Time. No fatalities were reported in the incident, though several bridge fender sections sustained damage from the collision.

According to available information, the barge BG United Jaya 3062, accompanied by tugboat TB MBP 2022, was en route to Merak Port in Banten via the eastern Sumatran coastal shipping lane when the incident occurred.

East Tanjungjabung Regency Police Chief AKBP Ade Candra stated that the barge involved had been secured and the case remained under investigation by the Satpolairud maritime police unit. “Thankfully there were no casualties, and traffic access across the Muara Sabak Bridge span remains safe for passage. The involved barge has been secured, and we continue to conduct a standard investigation,” Ade Candra said on Saturday evening.

Tanjungjabung Timur Transportation Department Head Taufik Hidayat attributed the incident to suspected engine failure aboard the barge whilst passing beneath the bridge. “When the incident occurred, the coal barge experienced engine trouble whilst passing under the bridge,” Hidayat stated.

According to preliminary assessments, the collision resulted in three bridge support pillars being reported missing and multiple fender sections sustaining damage. The Muara Sabak Bridge, spanning 737 metres across the Batanghari River, is a key landmark in East Tanjungjabung Regency and serves as an important transport link for the eastern coastal region of Jambi.