Sunken Virgo Transport 8 Ship to Be Raised This Month - Tempo.co English
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The management of KM Virgo Transport 8 ship—PT Virgo Karya Shipping—has confirmed that the salvage operation to raise the vessel, which sank in the Java Sea, Indonesia, will be carried out in October 2026 following expedited communications with their international insurer.
PT Virgo Karya Shipping spokesperson Simson Fransiscus Rihi stated that the company has engaged in extensive communication with representatives from their international Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurer. They have also secured support from the Ministry of Transportation, the Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to accelerate the process of appointing an international salvage partner.
"It is indeed our obligation. We are also backed by official letters issued by the Ministry of Transportation and the KSOP, as well as assistance from Basarnas, which helps us press the P&I insurer on this matter," he said.
Simson noted that the company has narrowed down its choice of salvage contractor but cannot yet disclose the name, as the contract has not been signed and certain data requirements remain to be fulfilled.
"God willing, the signing will take place in the coming days. There are still a few things to finalize—specifically, data we need to provide to the decision-makers at the P&I insurer," he said.
He emphasized that the company is striving to expedite administrative procedures and the contract signing so that the salvage plan can be implemented immediately; this includes the anticipated arrival of the salvage team, which is expected to occur this month.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Class I KSOP Banjarmasin, Heri Purwanto, stated that the Minister of Transportation has issued a stern reprimand to PT Virgo, ordering the immediate raising of the vessel because many victims remain trapped inside.
"The Ministry of Transportation can only issue reprimands and orders for immediate action. However, the actual speed of the salvage operation depends entirely on the insurance provider," Heri said. As of 10:00 PM Central Indonesian Time (WITA) on Saturday—the 21st day of the search and rescue operation—Basarnas confirmed that 188 people had been found, comprising 108 survivors and 80 fatalities.
Meanwhile, the remaining 55 victims who have not yet been located are believed to be trapped inside the sunken vessel; search efforts are ongoing for the total of 243 individuals listed on the KM Virgo Transport 8 manifest.
