The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) has intercepted a wooden vessel suspected of smuggling tin ore without proper documentation in the northern waters of the Karimata Strait, near Lingga Island, Riau Islands Province, on Friday, April 25, 2025.

The vessel, identified as KM Doa Restu Ibu Jaya, was intercepted at around 10:00 AM local time at coordinates of 00°17.091’ S / 105°37.412’ E, approximately 3 nautical miles from the patrol route of Bakamla’s KN Tanjung Datu-301 patrol vessel. Observed drifting suspiciously, Commander of KN Tanjung Datu-301, Colonel Rudi Endratmoko, ordered the Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team to conduct an inspection.

Major Yuhanes Antara of Bakamla said the initial inspection by the VBSS team revealed that the wooden vessel was manned by five crew members and lacked valid sailing and cargo documentation.

“The vessel was found to be carrying 600 sacks of tin ore, each weighing 50 kilograms, totaling approximately 30 tons. The ore is suspected to have originated from the Dabo area [Lingga Island] and was allegedly being smuggled to Malaysia,“ Yuhanes said in a statement on Friday.

The vessel is believed to be in violation of multiple national laws, including those related to shipping, energy and mineral resources, trade, as well as export and import regulations.

In addition to administrative violations, the vessel was also reported to have suffered an engine malfunction. To prevent further risk, KN Tanjung Datu-301 initiated towing procedures, escorting the vessel to Batam Island for further investigation and handling. KM Doa Restu Ibu Jaya is expected to arrive in Batam at noon on Saturday, April 26, 2025.