Jakarta to expand Muara Angke port after 2,500 vessels overwhelm capacity
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has announced plans to expand Muara Angke fishing port to ease congestion caused by more than 2,500 vessels crowding a facility designed for far fewer ships, as central authorities impose a temporary permit moratorium.
- Jakarta provincial government plans to expand Muara Angke fishing port to ease severe congestion.
- Central government has imposed a temporary moratorium on new vessel permits from January 2026.
- Fishermen warn of safety, fire, and economic risks as more than 2,500 boats crowd the harbour.
INDONESIA: Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said on 29 January the provincial government would expand Muara Angke fishing port to ease severe congestion caused by thousands of fishing boats crowding the harbour, as central authorities temporarily halted new vessel permits amid safety and operational concerns.
Pramono said the Jakarta provincial government planned to increase the port’s capacity to accommodate up to 500 or 600 additional vessels as a medium-term solution to the congestion.
“The DKI Jakarta government will immediately expand the existing port at that location by increasing capacity. Hopefully we will be able to build it in the near future to increase up to 500 or 600 ships. That’s the maximum,” Pramono said in Cawang, East Jakarta, on Thursday.
He said the current capacity of Muara Angke port was only around 400 to 500 vessels, far below the number of boats officially based there.
Weather and Licensing Worsen Congestion
According to Pramono, adverse weather conditions had forced many fishing boats to remain docked rather than sail, further worsening the congestion.
“Now because of the weather conditions, many ships are not sailing. And most of them are then parked there,” he said.
The situation has been compounded by the number of vessel permits issued by the central government through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), which exceed 2,500 units.
Pramono urged authorities not to issue additional permits for vessels based at Muara Angke.
“I convey and ask that there be no new additions to the ship. Because if the ship’s permit is added more than now, which is already 2,500, it will definitely be a burden for Muara Angke,” he said.
Viral Videos Draw Public Attention
The Nusantara Fisheries Port (PPN) Muara Angke, located in Penjaringan district, North Jakarta, has come under public scrutiny after videos circulating on social media showed thousands of fishing boats packed tightly together, obstructing movement in and out of the harbour.
Footage shared on Instagram account @vlogwargajkt showed boats queued in an unorganised manner, making it difficult for vessels to enter or leave the port and disrupting fishermen’s livelihoods.
Central government data shows more than 2,500 registered vessels are based at Muara Angke, far exceeding the capacity of the port’s basins. Many of the boats dock not only for loading and unloading, but also for administrative matters and refuelling, contributing to overcrowding.
Fishermen Voice Safety and Economic Concerns
Local fishing community figure James Willing said complaints about overcrowding had been raised for months without meaningful action.
“Our complaint is actually simple, but it’s never been listened to. We have informed the port managers for months that there are too many boats, but it keeps being ignored,” James said on Thursday.
He also expressed concerns over the risk of fire, referring to a recent blaze at nearby Muara Baru port.
“Just yesterday there was a fire at Muara Baru. Imagine if something happens here with boats packed this tightly. There are 2,500 boats in total at Muara Angke. If something happens, where are we supposed to go?” he said.
James said the congestion had persisted since November 2025, with between 50 and 100 vessels typically entering or leaving the port each day. He added that boats frequently scraped against one another, while some fishermen had been unable to sail for up to two weeks.
Central Government Imposes Permit Moratorium
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has classified conditions at PPN Muara Angke as reaching an emergency stage. The ministry recorded 2,564 vessels registered at the port.
In response, KKP has imposed a temporary moratorium on issuing new fishing vessel permits for Muara Angke starting January 2026.
“This is a follow-up to meetings with the Jakarta provincial food security, maritime and agriculture agency and the management of PPN Muara Angke, given that the harbour basin has exceeded its ideal capacity,” said Director General of Capture Fisheries Lotharia Latif in a written statement on 1 January.
Latif said the ministry would reassess other overcapacity fishing ports, including Nizam Zachman port in Jakarta, to reorganise operations and improve safety and standards in 2026.
KKP officials said many vessels docking at Muara Angke did not carry fish catches but came to obtain subsidised fuel recommendations and replenish supplies.
“We also found many idle vessels in the harbour basin that still have active fishing business permits,” said Ukon Ahmad Furkon, Director of Fishing Operations. “We will conduct data verification in coordination with local authorities.”
The ministry also plans to develop Karangsong fishing port in Indramayu as an alternative base, aiming to reduce congestion at Muara Angke and distribute fishing activities more evenly.
