MTI: Causes of KM Virgo Transport 8 Sinking Must Be Proven Technically
Rakhmatika Ardianto, an alumnus of Naval Architecture from the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), has urged the public not to jump to conclusions regarding the cause of the recent KM Virgo Transport 8 accident in Javanese waters. He argued that it is premature to blame ship modifications, previous voyage histories, or water depth as the primary triggers for the sinking.
Rakhmatika emphasised the need for a comprehensive study before drawing conclusions, as suggested by some experts. He noted that any design changes to KM Virgo are subject to specific validation and supervision mechanisms, citing PM Number 54 of 2021 concerning the Approval of Ship Design Drawings, Implementation, and Supervision of Ship Construction and Work.
“Ship owners are not permitted to alter construction at will. There are design drawings, technical calculations, an approval process, and work supervision conducted by the Directorate of Shipping and Seamanship of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, as well as the Indonesian Classification Bureau (BKI),” Rakhmatika told reporters in Jakarta on Sunday (20/09/2026).
The Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Transport Community (MTI) explained that modifying or changing ship designs is a common practice within the shipping industry. According to Rakhmatika, many currently operating vessels have undergone design or functional changes during their operational lifespan.
“For example, the Doulos Phos, built in 1914 in the United States as the SS Medina, was originally a cargo ship, then transitioned to a pilgrim and passenger ship as the SS Roma, later became the cruise ship MS Franca, operated as the floating library MV Doulos from 1977 to 2009, and was finally revitalised as the Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel in Bintan from 2019 to the present,” said Rakhmatika.
Furthermore, he noted that the Shinka Maru was converted from a Ro-Ro cargo ship into a passenger ship named Our Lady of Medjugorje, similar to how the Shinsei Maru became the Our Lady of Sacred Heart. In various countries, such ship conversions are standard practice.
“This demonstrates that changes to ship design or function are common in the shipping industry, provided they are carried out through technical processes and meet safety and classification requirements,” added Rakhmatika.
It was noted that KM Virgo Transport 8 had undergone modifications, specifically the addition of a side ramp door. Rakhmatika argued that if these modifications failed to meet stability calculations, the vessel would not have obtained its class certificate. He assessed that if construction changes had resulted in negative stability, the ship would have exhibited a list even when empty or before loading cargo.
“The evidence is that the ship had been operating for more than a month with over 30 trips. At the time of the accident, the ship had travelled approximately 190 nautical miles of its total 240 nautical mile voyage,” he explained.