Pertamina's Mochamad Iriawan Launches AI-Powered Marine Robot to Combat Sea Waste

The problem of waterborne waste in Indonesia has found a new, intelligent, and environmentally friendly solution with the launch of an automatic trash-cleaning vessel named the Autonomous Trash Skimmer. PT Pertamina (Persero), in collaboration with the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), officially operated this smart water robot at Sekeh Beach, Badung, Bali, on Wednesday (10/6/2026). The launch of this innovation was led directly by the Chief Commissioner of PT Pertamina (Persero), Mochamad Iriawan, as part of the World Environment Day commemorations. This strategic move represents the company’s commitment to preserving marine ecosystems through the integration of modern technology and the empowerment of coastal communities. Mochamad Iriawan asserted that waterborne waste is not merely an aesthetic issue but a serious threat to the tourism sector, which is the backbone of Bali’s economy. ‘Tourists come to Bali primarily for the attraction of its beaches. If they are full of rubbish, attraction turns to disgust. Moreover, the impact is felt by fishermen due to the destruction of the marine ecosystem,’ Iriawan stated on Wednesday (10/6). For industries like Pertamina, marine waste also poses real operational risks. Rubbish can disrupt ship propellers and clog engine cooling systems, potentially hampering the smooth distribution of national energy. The Autonomous Trash Skimmer vessel is 8 metres long with a catamaran hull design. This robot integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, an autonomous navigation system, ultrasonic sensors, cameras, and GPS to detect and collect waste both independently and manually. Notably, the vessel embraces a low-emission principle by using an electric motor supported by a hybrid system and solar panels. Other key features include a plastic shredding machine to support the recycling process and an electric pulley with a 500-kilogram capacity. As an initial phase, Pertamina has designated the Patra Bali Resort & Villas area and the Ngurah Rai Aviation Fuel Terminal as pilot project locations, with a target of reducing waste by 1 tonne per year. Meanwhile, at the Kotabaru Fuel Oil Terminal in Kalimantan, the programme is targeted to reduce up to 20 tonnes of coastal waste annually. ‘Going forward, this programme is expected to become a model for technology-based waterborne waste management that can be replicated across various Pertamina operational areas throughout Indonesia,’ concluded Iriawan. Besides Bali and Kalimantan, Pertamina plans to develop this technology at several other strategic points, including the Cilacap, Balongan, and Labuan Bajo integrated terminals.