ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — The Indonesian Navy has intercepted two vessels allegedly transporting illegal nickel ore to the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), exposing yet another breach in the country’s nickel supply chain.
The seizure took place in the Mandiodo waters, North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
The operation was carried out by KRI Bung Hatta-370, which discovered that both vessels were sailing without valid ship documents, without legal cargo papers, and had conducted loading activities at the jetty of PT Dwimitra Multiguna Sejahtera (DMS) — a company previously sealed by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).
According to Navy Spokesperson Rear Admiral Tunggul, the situation became even more suspicious when the vessels were found moving from the jetty to the anchorage area without a Movement Permit (SPOG) and without a ship master on board.
“These findings clearly violate mining regulations and maritime laws. For further legal processing, Navy personnel have escorted both vessels to Naval Base Kendari for in-depth investigation,” Tunggul said in an official statement.
The seized vessels — TB Prima Mulia 06 – TK Prima Sejati 308 — carried 10 Indonesian crew members and were reportedly under the command of an individual identified as A.
This interception adds to the growing list of alleged violations in the nickel supply chain serving IMIP, particularly from the Mandiodo mining corridor, which has long been considered a hotspot for illegal ore operations. (AT Network)
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