Ferry Age Scrutiny After Java Sea Capsizing | Mariner News
Following the mass-casualty capsizing of the ferry Virgo Transport 8 in the Java Sea, an Indonesian lawmaker has called for a review of the vessel’s age and the nation’s updated regulations governing the importation of older passenger vessels. The incident, where over 120 people disappeared on September 13, brings into sharp focus the March 2024 relaxation of rules that previously restricted such imports to younger vessels.
The Virgo Transport 8 (IMO 8625179), built in 1987, had recently been flagged into the domestic Indonesian fleet after serving in Japanese trade under a previous name. Prior to its Indonesian service, the vessel underwent significant hull modifications on its starboard side, including the addition of two side-mounted ro/ro ramps near the bow and stern, as shown in before-and-after photos provided by VesselFinder.
Lawmaker Sofwan Dedy Ardyanto noted in a social media post that Indonesia’s ministry of trade previously maintained a regulation restricting the importation of passenger vessels to those 15 years of age or less. The Virgo Transport 8 was more than twice this age limit, but the stricter age regulation, which took effect in 2021, was superseded by a new, looser set of rules implemented in March 2024.
This shift in regulatory policy is now under intense scrutiny, as the investigation into the Virgo Transport 8 casualty includes a review of its registration status and advanced age. A potential re-evaluation of Indonesia’s passenger vessel import standards could significantly impact the market for older second-hand tonnage entering domestic coastwise ferry routes. Operators who have recently imported or are considering acquiring older vessels may face renewed regulatory hurdles or heightened operational oversight if the government moves to tighten age restrictions once more.
