Pertamina and ITS Deploy 'Trash Skimmer' Vessel to Tackle Coastal Waste

PT Pertamina (Persero), in collaboration with the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya, is managing coastal waste through the use of an autonomous trash skimmer vessel. The initiative was launched at Sekeh Beach in Badung, Bali, on Wednesday. Pertamina’s Chief Commissioner, Mochamad Iriawan, stated that this technological innovation is expected to provide an innovative solution for collecting floating waste more effectively, efficiently, and safely. “The waste issue does not only disrupt the beauty of the beaches, but also poses a serious threat to environmental sustainability and Bali’s economy through the tourism sector, which is the backbone of the island’s economy,” Mr Iriawan said. He added that for industries, including Pertamina, marine debris also constitutes an operational risk, as waste can interfere with ship propellers and clog cooling systems for equipment and machinery, potentially disrupting the smooth distribution of energy. In its initial phase, Pertamina is targeting a reduction in coastal waste volume around the operational area of The Patra Bali Resort & Villas and the Ngurah Rai Aviation Fuel Terminal by approximately 1 tonne per year. Meanwhile, for the Kotabaru Fuel Terminal operational area, specifically in Semayap and Rampa villages in Kalimantan, the programme is targeted to help reduce coastal waste generation by up to about 20 tonnes per year. The 8-metre-long vessel features a catamaran double-hull design and is equipped with various advanced technologies such as ultrasonic sensors, cameras, GPS, artificial intelligence, and a real-time monitoring system that enables the boat to detect and collect waste efficiently.