Pelindo PT Pelindo Jasa Maritim (SPJM), a subsidiary of Indonesia’s state port operator PT Pelindo, has installed new navigation and monitoring equipment around the Mahakam Bridge in Samarinda to improve the safety of vessels operating along the Mahakam River.
The company said it had installed a Port Entry Light (PEL) navigation beacon system and water condition monitoring sensors near the bridge to help guide ships and provide real-time information on river conditions.
The PEL system, installed in September 2024, is a high-intensity navigation light used to guide vessels through designated shipping lanes and beneath bridges, particularly at night or during periods of low visibility. The system is designed to mark safe passages, highlight potential hazards and help captains maintain the correct course while transiting narrow waterways.
“We found that Port Entry Lights are widely used in busy international ports and in waterways with narrow channels or heavy traffic,” said Edward D.N. Napitupulu, operations and engineering director at SPJM.
“These lights are an important safety standard for guiding ships safely into port, both during the day and at night. Navigation under the Mahakam Bridge can be challenging, so the installation helps ship captains and pilots determine the correct position and course to ensure safe passage,” he added.
In January 2026, SPJM also installed water monitoring sensors around the Mahakam Bridge and the Mahulu Bridge. The devices measure river current speed and the vertical clearance between the water surface and the bridge structure.
The sensors are connected to a monitoring display mounted on the bridge and to a web-based dashboard that updates data every minute. The system provides information on current velocity, bridge clearance and warnings if a vessel’s load exceeds regulatory limits.
A laser rangefinder has also been installed at the pilot station near the Mahulu Bridge to support ship pilots during navigation.
According to Napitupulu, the monitoring equipment is intended to assist ship pilots and captains when maneuvering vessels beneath the bridge and improve situational awareness in the confined waterway.
“Access to accurate and real-time data helps pilots guide vessels more precisely, safely and efficiently,” he said.
SPJM said the installation forms part of its broader efforts to improve maritime safety and operational reliability along the Mahakam River shipping route.