Profile of ASDP’s KMP Batumandi, Which Caught Fire

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — A fire broke out aboard the KMP Batumandi near Merak Besar Island on Tuesday (20 October 2026) afternoon, while the vessel was manoeuvring to berth at Pier VI of Merak Port in Cilegon, Banten.

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) confirmed the incident. The ship had departed Bakauheni Port at about 2.52pm Western Indonesian Time (WIB). At around 4.15pm, shore personnel spotted sparks at the rear of the vessel, on the upper deck used to carry smaller vehicles.

“Joint teams from the port, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and the police are still handling the incident. ASDP confirms that all passengers and crew have been evacuated,” ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale said in a statement.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated by the authorities. ASDP said it would support the investigation and provide further updates once information had been verified on site.

“Passenger and crew safety is ASDP’s top priority,” she said.

The company said passenger and crew safety remains its foremost concern across all ferry services. It is committed to handling incidents swiftly and in a co-ordinated manner, prioritising safety and strengthening co-operation with all relevant parties to ensure the situation is managed properly.

Profile and specifications of the KMP Batumandi

The KMP Batumandi is operated by ASDP Indonesia and serves the Merak–Bakauheni route in both directions.

With a tonnage of about 5,556 gross register tonnes (GRT), it is one of ASDP Indonesia’s largest vessels. The ship is 109.4 metres long and 19.6 metres wide, with a top speed of 15 knots; the express service takes about an hour.

The Ro-Ro vessel can carry up to 626 passengers and around 130 vehicles. It is one of several ships built by a domestic Indonesian shipyard, alongside the KMP Legundi and KMP Sebuku.