Ministry of Transportation Facilitates Repatriation of Indonesian Seafarers Following Missile Attack in the Arabian Sea
JAKARTA – The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, has ensured a rapid response in handling Indonesian citizens (WNI) seafarers impacted by the MV Gold Autumn ship incident in the Arabian Sea waters.
The efforts undertaken include facilitating their return to the homeland along with the fulfilment of the seafarers’ rights. The three Indonesian seafarers repatriated are Adhelan Azhiz Fiqih, Robi Andika Saputra, and Farhan Setio Budi.
All three arrived in Indonesia on Sunday, 19 April 2026, via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Upon arrival in the homeland, the seafarers were directly picked up by representatives of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation.
The pick-up process also involved representatives from crewing agencies and placement companies, as well as seafarer associations that provided accompaniment.
“In any situation, the state ensures that Indonesian seafarers are not left to face risks alone. The handling is carried out quickly, in a coordinated manner, and comprehensively,” stated in an official release on Tuesday (21/4/2026).
After the evacuation, the surviving Indonesian seafarers were taken to Karachi, Pakistan, and received accompaniment from the ship management company, Shanghai Defeng Shipping Co. Ltd.
All travel documents lost due to the incident were subsequently reissued through coordination between the Indonesian representatives and relevant parties to ensure the smooth process of returning to Indonesia.
The incident occurred on 8 April 2026 at 11:00 local time when the MV Gold Autumn was sailing in the Arabian Sea. The ship was hit by a missile that struck hold number 4 and ignited a fire in the cargo.
Approximately 15 to 20 minutes later, a follow-up attack occurred, causing damage to the accommodation area and a fire on the bridge.
The worsening situation prompted some crew members to carry out an emergency evacuation using lifeboats, but the lifeboat experienced engine failure, causing the crew to drift in the open sea.
Samsuddin emphasised that the safety of Indonesian seafarers is the top priority in every handling of maritime sector emergencies.
“This handling not only focuses on evacuation but also ensures that all seafarers’ rights are fulfilled, from safety aspects, administration, to responsibilities of relevant parties,” stated Samsuddin.
Samsuddin also affirmed that the Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation is fully committed to continuing to strengthen the protection of Indonesian seafarers, especially in facing the dynamics of shipping risks in international waters.
“The strengthening of the Indonesian citizen (WNI) seafarer protection system will continue to be enhanced through supervision, cross-sector coordination, and readiness in facing emergency conditions,” he emphasised.