Kapuas River Drying Up, Coal Transport Activities Begin to be Impacted
Drought and falling water levels in several major rivers in Kalimantan have begun to disrupt coal transportation activities. This is occurring due to declining water levels caused by a prolonged dry season and the El Niño phenomenon.
The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APund) stated that these conditions are starting to affect the smoothness of coal transportation using barges.
APBI Executive Director Gita Mahyarani said that, in general, drought and the lowering of river water levels are occurring in several regions of Kalimantan. This situation is beginning to impact coal transport activities.
“In general, drought and the lowering of river water levels are occurring in several areas of Kalimantan and are starting to affect coal transportation activities,” Gita told CNBC Indonesia on Friday (4/9/2026).
According to her, the drop in river water levels can limit the draft of barges. Consequently, companies are unable to maximise the coal load transported in each journey.
“In several other river areas, the drop in water levels can also limit barge drafts, meaning loads cannot be maximised,” she said.
This condition also has the potential to cause a temporary increase in coal stocks. Coal that was intended for immediate shipment via river routes may become stuck at mining areas or port stockpiles.
“This condition has the potential to increase temporary stocks in mining areas as well as port stockpiles,” said Gita.
Nevertheless, APBI assesses that logistics disruptions due to river conditions cannot be the sole factor determining coal price increases.
Gita explained that coal price movements are still primarily influenced by supply and demand dynamics in the global market. Logistics disruptions in Indonesia may affect market sentiment, but they are not the sole determinant of price direction.
Kapuas River Transforms into a Desert-like Landscape
The phenomenon of the Kapuas River drying up has been widely discussed on social media. In an Instagram post by the @atr.drone account, a barge was seen to have been grounded in the Kapuas River, West Kalimantan, for almost three months.
The reduction in the water discharge of the Kapuas River in Kampung Sungai Raya, Sekadau Hilir District, Sekadau Regency, West Kalimantan, presents an unusual sight and has become a new attraction for the public. The Kapuas River in West Kalimantan is experiencing drought.
The sight is made even more striking by the presence of a barge grounded in the middle of the river flow.
“A barge has been grounded in the Kapust River, Kalimantan, for almost three months,” wrote the @atr.drone Instagram account in its post.
Expanses of sand that are usually at the bottom of the Kapuas River are now visible across a wide area as the water discharge shrinks. This condition is being utilised by residents as a makeshift tourist spot for relaxing, gathering with families, and enjoying the sunset panorama.
The receding Kapuas River has transformed an area that is usually just a river flow into an open space used by the community for recreation.