Bad Weather Lurking End Of Year, Ministry Of Transportation Orders Syahbandar To Tighten Supervision

The Ministry of Transportation through the Directorate General of Sea Transportation reminded all shipping elements to increase awareness of the potential for extreme weather and high waves that are expected to occur in various Indonesian waters at the end of November 2025.

This warning was delivered after the BMKG reported the presence of tropical cyclone 97S seeds in the South China Sea which triggered an increase in wind speed and wave height. The most significant conditions were observed in the Indian Ocean west of Aceh and the central part of the Arafuru Sea.

The Director General of Sea Transportation, Muhammad Masyhud, said that his party had issued a Certificate of Preparedness for Facing Extreme Weather to all Main KSOP Offices, KSOP Offices, UPP Offices, Batam Special KSOP Offices, PLP Bases, and Navigation Districts throughout Indonesia.

"This appeal was issued with the aim of improving shipping safety and security and minimizing the risk of ship accidents caused by bad weather," he said in an official statement, Tuesday, November 18.

In his instructions, Masyhud asked the harbormasters to issue a Shipping Declaration to the ship's captain regarding bad or extreme weather conditions and disseminate weather information from the maritime BMKG to all ships in their area.

"If weather conditions endanger shipping safety, Syahbandar is asked not to issue a Sailing Approval Letter (SPB) and delay ship departures until weather conditions are completely safe to sail," he said.

He emphasized that ships that continue shipping must meet all safety requirements.

"In addition, the harbormaster must ensure that the ships that continue their voyages meet all safety requirements," he said.

Masyhud also asked the captain and ship operators to routinely update weather information through the official BMKG channel and ensure the safety of crew, passengers, and cargo. As well as use ship navigation devices to detect changes in the weather conditions around.

"If there is an emergency situation, immediately report to the nearest harbormaster or the authorities using the GMDSS communication system (Global Maritime Disress and Safety System) if necessary," said Masyhud.

For ships under 35 GT, including tugboats, LCT, and Ro-Ro passengers, he appealed to postpone departure until the weather was declared safe, as well as ensure the ship was bound and well monitored when leaning.

The harbormaster will delay shipping if weather conditions have the potential to endanger the safety of passengers, crew, and ships. The captain is also required to re-check the ship's safety equipment during the delay period," he added.

Meanwhile, ships above 35 GT including foreign ships and commercial ships are required to ensure the full readiness of navigation, machinery and safety equipment systems throughout the voyage.

"With this instruction, it is hoped that all levels of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, especially the Harbormaster and officers in the field can further increase supervision of shipping safety and be able to anticipate accidents due to extreme weather that occur in Indonesian waters," said Masyhud.

Based on BMKG information from November 18 to 21, 2025, wave heights of 1.25 to 2.5 meters are likely to occur in the Indian Ocean west of Lampung, the Indian Ocean west of Bengkulu, the Indian Ocean west of Mentawai Island, the Indian Ocean west of Aceh, the northern part of the Malacca Strait, the Indian Ocean west of Kep. Nias.

Then, the Indian Ocean south of Banten, the Indian Ocean south of West Java, the Indian Ocean south of Central Java, the southern Indian Ocean in Yogyakarta, the Indian Ocean south of East Java, the Indian Ocean south of NTT, the central Makassar Strait, the northern part of Makassar Strait, and the Maluku Sea.

Then, the Pacific Ocean north of Maluku, Banda Sea, Seram Sea, northern Arafuru Sea, and the central part of the Arafuru Sea. Meanwhile, wave heights of 2.5 to 4.0 meters are likely to occur in the Natuna Sea and western Arafuru Sea.