Ministry of Transport tightens maritime safety oversight during school holidays
The Ministry of Transport has strengthened maritime safety oversight during the 2026 school holidays by carrying out spot checks on passenger vessel seaworthiness, including at Merak Port, Banten, to ensure the safety and comfort of sea transport users.
“We are conducting this effort through spot checks on passenger vessel seaworthiness at Merak Port, Banten,” said Director of Shipping and Seafaring at the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Samsuddin, in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday. He said the spot checks were carried out to ensure passenger ships serving the public during the school holiday period are seaworthy and meet shipping safety and security standards in line with the principle of zero compromise for safety.
The activity was conducted by a team from the Directorate of Shipping and Seafaring together with Marine Inspectors from the Class I Banten Harbourmaster and Port Authority (KSOP) Office. During the inspection, the team examined five Ro-Ro vessels serving the Merak–Bakauheni crossing: KMP Shanaya, KMP Wira Berlian, KMP Caitlyn 7, KMP Royce I, and KMP Legundi.
Inspected aspects included the validity of ship and crew documents, readiness of safety equipment, completeness of radio communication and navigation devices, the condition of ship construction and machinery, and the implementation of the safety management system in accordance with applicable regulations. “From the results of the inspection, the team found a number of minor findings on several ships,” he explained. Regarding these findings, ship operators are required to make improvements and fulfil requirements in accordance with the Instruction of the Director General of Sea Transportation Number IR-DJPL 4 of 2026 on the Seaworthiness Test of Passenger Ships for the 2026 School Holiday Transport.
Samsuddin stated that the spot check activity is a routine preventive measure to ensure all operating passenger fleets meet shipping safety standards, particularly during the 2026 school holiday transport period. “This inspection is part of our commitment to ensure that ships serving the public during the school holidays are seaworthy and ready to operate safely,” Samsuddin noted. According to him, the school holiday period is synonymous with increased public movement utilising sea transportation. Therefore, collaboration among all stakeholders is essential to maintain shipping safety standards and provide safe, secure, orderly, and comfortable sea transport services for all users. “Shipping safety is a shared responsibility. With compliance with applicable regulations and the readiness of all operational elements, the public can travel safely and smoothly,” he said.