Giant Sea Wall Project Accelerated, Jakarta and Semarang Become Priorities

The construction of the giant sea wall will be carried out in stages and can begin in areas where conditions are already quite severe, both in terms of land subsidence and sea level rise.

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) stated that the giant sea wall project is a long-term endeavour spanning 10 to 20 years, requiring substantial funding and careful planning in its execution.

“This giant sea wall project is a major undertaking, not a one- or two-year project, but 10 or even up to 20 years, depending on how quickly we can initiate it,” said AHY during his presentation at the coordination meeting of the North Java Coast Authority Management Agency (BOPPJ) on Monday (4/5/2026).

AHY added that although the construction will proceed in phases, in Jakarta and Semarang, including the Kendal and Demak regions, the giant sea wall must be accelerated because these areas have the most severe conditions, where the land surface is already below sea level.

“The worst land subsidence and sea level rise are occurring in Jakarta and Semarang; these need to be anticipated as soon as possible,” AHY continued.

For Jakarta, the giant sea wall will eventually be built around Jakarta Bay. In Semarang, it will be constructed starting from the Kendal coast to Demak.

“Of course, we identify the most vulnerable areas as Jakarta Bay and the Semarang surroundings, to be addressed simultaneously. There are approximately 535 km from west to east that must be built with the giant sea wall. But of course, we must determine which are the most vulnerable to address first,” explained AHY.

Separately, the Head of BOPPJ, Didit Herdiawan Ashaf, revealed that areas experiencing the most severe land subsidence will become the priority for giant sea wall construction.

“The giant sea wall construction will be prioritised in regions that have already experienced the most severe land subsidence, namely areas where the land surface has dropped to 0 to 2 degrees below sea level,” said Didit in a press conference on Monday (4/5/2026).

The giant sea wall construction will be divided into 15 segments, with two segments in Jakarta Bay and the Semarang area becoming construction priorities.

“We will build it using a 15-segment approach. So it does not have to connect directly from west to east, but certain conditions might make segments like Jakarta Bay and Semarang a priority,” stated Didit.

However, Didit did not provide details on which areas the 15 segments cover or how long they are. Nevertheless, Jakarta and Semarang, including Kendal and Demak, will remain priorities for giant sea wall construction.