Oil Spill in Semau Waters Reaches 6 Tonnes
An oil spill contaminating several villages on Semau Island, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has reached approximately 5 to 6 tonnes. The affected areas include the villages of Huilelot, Onansila, Letbaun, Uiasa, Hansisi, Uitiuh Ana, Akle, and Naikean.
“To date, around five to six tonnes of spilled oil have been successfully recovered from the affected areas,” stated the Director of Marine Police (Polairud) of the NTT Regional Police, Kombes Irwan Deffi Nasution, on Sunday (2/8/2026).
Irwan explained that the six-tonne spill was discovered after police, alongside seaweed farmers, cleaned the affected coastal areas over the past few days. The cleanup efforts spanned the Hansisi area, Semau Ferry Port, Semau Public Port, Hansisi Oesemut, Lalendo, and Kambing Island.
According to Irwan, the NTT Regional Police Marine Police are currently coordinating with the Semau District Government, the National Marine Conservation Area Authority (BKKPN), the Harbour Master and Port Authority (KSOP), and other relevant agencies to ensure optimal handling measures. Furthermore, patrols via sea and land are ongoing to monitor potential oil dispersion in other coastal areas.
“We, along with relevant agencies, will continue to conduct field supervision and monitoring. Further sweeps will be conducted at coastal points that are potentially affected to ensure the cleaning process is effective,” Irwan explained.
Currently, contractors are conducting a technical investigation to identify the exact source of the Marine Fuel Oil (MFO) leak, while continuing mitigation and cleaning efforts to minimise the environmental impact. In an effort to manage the shipwreck, PT Nusantara Salvage Indonesia, the party involved in the ship wreckage removal, has increased its handling fleet from two to four boats.
Additionally, measures such as the installation of oil booms, the use of oil absorbent pads, the spraying of oil dispersants, and the suction of oil trapped around the incident site are being implemented.
“I ensure that we will continue to oversee the handling of this incident until the waters return to normal and are safe for both the community and the marine ecosystem in the Semau area,” Irwan asserted.
The NTT Regional Police Marine Police also urged coastal communities to remain calm and to immediately report to officers if any remnants of the oil spill are found on beaches or in surrounding waters. “Please report immediately so that cleaning measures can be taken,” concluded Irwan.
It was previously reported that the NTT Regional Police Marine Police identified the source of the oil spill contaminating the waters of Semau Island as the wreckage of the KM Kuala Emas. The police have been gathering information regarding the impact of the marine pollution in the region.