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October 5, 2026
by Tiyana Sigi Pertiwi and Tiara Amanda Putri
Overview
The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Regulation No. 7 of 2026 on Harbourmaster Functions at Fishing Ports is aimed at improving the implementation of governmental functions at fishing ports. This recent regulation revokes Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation No. 3/PERMEN-KP/2013 [OM1.1]on Harbormaster Functions at Fishing Ports, which is considered no longer aligned with legal developments and the current safety requirements for fishing vessel navigation.(1)
This regulation comprehensively governs harbourmaster functions, covering fishing ports managed by the central and regional governments, as well as the assignment of harbourmasters at public ports.(1) In its implementation, synergy among harbourmaster authorities, fisheries inspectors, and regional agencies is key to ensuring navigational safety and fishers’ legal compliance before going to sea. This includes the issuance of Port Clearance or Surat Persetujuan Berlayar (SPB), which are essential documents for fishers alongside other required fishing documents.(2)
The Annex to the Regulation also contains template standard forms used at each procedural stage referred in the provisions.
Key Highlights
Port Clearance (SPB) for Fishing Vessels: Administrative Procedures and Requirements
Every Fishing Vessel intending to depart from a Fishing Port must obtain a Port Clearance (Surat Persetujuan Berlayar or SPB) issued by the Harbourmaster. The application must be submitted electronically through the Ministry’s information system, accompanied by the required supporting documents. The Harbourmaster conducts administrative checks to verify the completeness and validity of the submitted documents, as well as the vessel’s technical and nautical conditions, fishing readiness, and other applicable requirements. Port Clearance is generally valid for one voyage, except for vessels owned by Small Scale Fishers, which may use the same clearance for multiple voyages within 10 calendar days from its issuance. Fishing Vessels must generally depart within 24 hours of issuance, subject to the applicable provisions for Small Scale Fishers and permitted departure delays.(1)
Statutory Timeframes, Search and Rescue (SAR), and STBLKK Requirements
The Regulation sets statutory timeframes for several harbourmaster services. The endorsement of the Seafarer Employment Agreement (Perjanjian Kerja Laut or PKL) and the Crew List (Buku Sijil) must generally be completed within 1 hour after the relevant document verification, while requests to postpone a vessel’s departure must be submitted at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure. The Master is also required to report accidents or casualties and conduct an independent search for at least 72 hours if a crew member is lost overboard, until the search and rescue (SAR) authorities take over, with violations subject to sanctions under the applicable laws and regulations. For Fishing Vessels owned by Small Scale Fishers conducting one day fishing activities, the Certificate of Vessel Arrival Report (Surat Tanda Bukti Laporan Kedatangan Kapal or STBLKK) is valid for up to 10 calendar days and must be stamped by the Harbourmaster upon each return during the validity period.(1)
Obligation to Submit and Verify Fishing Logbooks
Under Article 14, the Master is required to notify the Harbourmaster of the vessel’s arrival no later than one hour after berthing or arriving at the Fishing Port and subsequently submit the required vessel documents. Under Articles 15 and 16, the required documents include the Fishing Logbook for Indonesian flagged Fishing Vessels engaged in fishing activities, with a simplified Fishing Logbook applicable to Small Scale Fishers. Pursuant to Article 25, the Harbourmaster verifies the Fishing Logbook upon the vessel’s arrival, except for simplified Fishing Logbooks. The verification covers the consistency between the fishing gear used and the type of catch, as well as the fishing grounds and the vessel’s Fishing License (Surat Izin Penangkapan Ikan or SIPI) or applicable fishing activity approval. The verification may also include the consistency between the number of fishing days and the number of fishing settings.(1)
Fueling and Maritime Environmental Protection
Fueling and maritime environmental protection aims to minimize the risk of water pollution from vessel operations at ports. The oversight applies to vessel owners, masters, and small-scale fishers, with Harbourmaster officers ensuring the availability of safety and pollution prevention equipment, such as oil spill containers, fire extinguishers, and sand containers, and verifying tax invoices for industrial fuel purchases before fueling is permitted.(1)
Enforcement through Sanctions
Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation No. 7 of 2026 establishes the following sanctions:
Tiyana Sigi Pertiwi
Knowledge Lawyer
Tiara Amanda Putri
Growth Officer
