The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) successfully foiled a piracy attempt targeting a coal carrier in the waters of Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. The commander of the vessel reported that the incident occurred while Bakamla personnel were conducting a routine night patrol. At approximately 9:28 p.m. Central Indonesian Time (WITA), they received a report of a suspicious wooden vessel believed to be operated by pirates approaching the tugboat and the barge located at coordinates 00°39’14″S – 117°53’33″E. The two vessels were transporting around 7,407 metric tons of coal.
Acting swiftly on the report, the commander directed his vessel to the location, where Bakamla’s Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team launched an interception operation. At around 10:30 p.m. WITA, the team successfully apprehended the wooden vessel, which was suspected of involvement in the attempted piracy.
During the initial inspection, officers seized several items of evidence, including two machetes, seven shovels, and three mobile phones. Five suspects were arrested at the scene.
The captain and crew of the tugboat and barge were confirmed safe and have since provided initial statements to Bakamla investigators. The commander emphasized that this operation demonstrates Bakamla’s firm commitment to ensuring the security of Indonesia’s maritime territories and protecting commercial shipping routes from criminal threats.
