Navy intercepts suspected illegal nickel shipments in Weda Bay

The Indonesian Navy has intercepted two vessels carrying suspected illegal nickel shipments in Weda Bay, North Maluku, in a move aimed at curbing unauthorized mining activities and tightening oversight of Indonesia’s mineral trade.

One of the vessels, Tug Boat Samudera Luas 8 towing barge Indonesia Jaya 3608, was detained while en route to Weda. The cargo is suspected to have been unlawfully removed from the Mining Business Permit (IUP) area of PT Bososi Pratama.

Bososi Pratama’s legal counsel, Kariatun Zetriansyah, welcomed the Navy’s action, calling it an important step in enforcing the law.

 “We appreciate the firm action taken by the Indonesian Navy regarding the alleged illegal shipment of nickel ore,” he said on Tuesday, adding that the detention should serve as preliminary evidence for further investigation.

The company has urged authorities to expand the probe to include parties involved in issuing administrative documents, particularly the surveyor that released the Verification Report (LHV), as well as buyers or traders linked to the shipment.

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Zetriansyah also noted that the company’s General Legal Administration (AHU) registration is reportedly inactive, rendering any extraction and shipment of nickel from the site legally invalid.

In a separate operation, the Navy’s KRI Hampala-880 secured TB Entebe Star 29 and barge Finacia 61 in Weda Bay. The vessels were found carrying 11,007.50 Wet Metric Tons (WMT) of nickel ore.

Head of the Navy Information Service (Kadispenal), Rear Admiral Tunggul, said the cargo is suspected of exceeding the authorized mining quota by 25 percent of the 2026 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB), in addition to sailing permit violations.

Both vessels have been escorted to the Weda Naval Post for further legal proceedings. The Navy’s action is expected to send a strong signal against illegal exploitation of Indonesia’s mineral resources.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak