KMP Portlink VII Fire-Damaged Ferry Evacuated to Bulusan Dock
A passenger motor vessel (KMP) Portlink VII, operated by state-owned PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero), experienced a fire incident whilst loading vehicles at Dock MB IV, Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, East Java, on the evening of 11 March 2026. The jumbo-capacity ferry has since been evacuated to Bulusan Dock for repairs.
The fire broke out at approximately 20:22 Western Indonesia Time whilst the vessel was preparing to depart for Gilimanuk Port, Bali. Sparks suddenly emerged from the second deck shortly after vehicle loading commenced, triggering panic among passengers and crew members as flames rapidly spread.
Fortunately, port personnel and ship crew responded swiftly to the emergency. All passengers and vehicles already aboard were immediately evacuated to prevent further risk, and the fire was brought under control within a relatively short timeframe.
“Fortunately the fire was extinguished quickly, and KMP Portlink has now been relocated to Bulusan Dock for repairs,” said Hizkya Sandrianto, operations officer at ASDP’s Ketapang Port branch, following his attendance at the Operation Ketupat 2026 deployment assembly on 12 March 2026.
Hizkya confirmed there were no injured or fatally injured persons in the incident. Regarding the precise cause of the fire, port authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. However, preliminary indications point towards an electrical problem.
“The cause is still under investigation. Initial suspicions point towards a possible electrical short circuit, but this remains under further examination. So at present we cannot definitively establish the cause of the incident,” Hizkya explained.
As a precautionary measure to prevent similar occurrences, ASDP will tighten inspections of vehicles and cargo scheduled to be loaded onto vessels. Enhanced supervision will focus on cargo with fire-ignition potential.
“We will maximise inspections, particularly for vehicles carrying scrap metal. We will ensure nothing with flammable materials is brought aboard,” Hizkya stressed.