Ship Dismantling Activities in Sekupang Questioned; Authorities Urged to Be Transparent
Ship dismantling activities at PT Seloko Batam Shipyard in the Tanjung Riau area, Sekupang District, Batam City, have attracted public attention. The operations taking place along the waterfront are considered to require strict oversight to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and maritime safety standards.
According to observations on Sunday, 1 March, the ship hull was being cut using heavy equipment and open welding at the site. Steel pieces were seen piling up near the shoreline. The activities were taking place relatively close to waters that have traditionally been a fishing ground for local fishermen.
Several coastal residents expressed concern that the activities could potentially cause pollution if waste management is not conducted according to proper procedures. Decommissioned vessels typically still contain residual fuel, oil, tank sludge, and anti-fouling paint layers that can contain heavy metals and hazardous substances.
“If all permits are complete and procedures are followed, it should be opened to the public to prevent speculation,” said Tomas, 42, a youth leader from Tanjung Riau, on Sunday, 1 March.
According to him, the community does not reject investment or industrial activities. However, these activities must be carried out with the principles of caution and information transparency. “We only want assurance that the sea will not be polluted. Because if it is damaged, coastal residents will be the first to be affected,” he said.
He requested that relevant agencies, including the Batam City Environmental Affairs Agency (DLH), BP Batam, and the Port Authority and Harbormaster Office of Batam (KSOP Batam), conduct open field inspections. The results of the checks, he continued, need to be announced to the public so wild assumptions do not spread among the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Under regulations, ship dismantling activities must meet environmental approval requirements and hazardous waste management standards. The process includes waste potential identification, residual treatment systems, and transportation and disposal according to applicable standards. Without proper waste management, there is a risk of water pollution and impact on marine ecosystems.
An environmental observer in Batam considered inter-agency oversight crucial given that the activity location is in a sensitive coastal area. “Oversight cannot be merely administrative. There must be field checks to ensure procedures are carried out according to the documents,” said Arlan, from the Riau Islands Environmental Lovers Association.
Until this report was published, PT Seloko Batam Shipyard had not provided an official statement regarding the legality or environmental documentation of the activities. Meanwhile, the Head of KSOP Batam, Takwin, could not yet be reached for comment. Confirmation attempts with the Batam City Environmental Affairs Agency and BP Batam are still awaiting responses.
The public now awaits firm action from the authorities. Transparency is considered key to maintaining public trust whilst ensuring industrial activities run in accordance with regulations. If all permits and procedures have been met, information openness is believed to be able to dampen the controversy. However, if violations are found, enforcement is expected to be carried out impartially to protect the environment and the interests of coastal communities.