Several containers were lost overboard after container ship MV Spil Ratna collided with general cargo vessel MV Meratus Kolawa on 13 May in Indonesia’s Mahakam River, causing structural damage to both vessels and disrupting traffic on one of East Kalimantan’s key inland shipping routes.
MV Spil Ratna was sailing from Samarinda when it struck MV Meratus Kolawa in a narrow section of the river connecting upstream industrial areas with Balikpapan-bound traffic. The collision impacted the forward starboard side of MV Spil Ratna and caused significant damage above the waterline to MV Meratus Kolawa.
As a result of the impact, eight containers fell into the river and were carried away by the current, creating a navigation hazard for other vessels operating in the busy waterway.
Local port authorities have deployed response teams to track and recover the drifting containers. River users, including local fishing boats and small commercial craft, have been advised to exercise caution while operations continue in the area.
Authorities have not reported any injuries or pollution linked to the incident. The exact cause of the collision is still under investigation, with officials examining possible navigational error or operational failure in the restricted river channel.
The Mahakam River serves as a critical logistics corridor in East Kalimantan, supporting container movements between inland industrial zones and coastal export terminals. The narrow and current-affected channel is known to present navigational challenges, particularly for larger vessels operating in opposite directions.
