Photo: Capt. Rosalina Bangun Among MV Star Voyager’s Crew
Before the first light of dawn broke over Kuala Tanjung Port, a quiet milestone was unfolding in Indonesia’s maritime world.
The MV Star Voyager, a giant cruise ship carrying 1,887 passengers and 998 crew members, was making her way through the calm waters off North Sumatra. At her helm, guiding her safely to dock, was not just any pilot, but a female pioneer, the one making history.
Capt. Rosalina Bangun, with nearly a decade of experience and the rare ANT 1 license under her belt, was at the helm of this significant maneuver. She is one of the few female maritime pilots in Indonesia, and the first to ever handle a cruise ship of this scale at Kuala Tanjung.
As the sky began to lighten, Capt. Rosalina, backed by the powerful assist tugboats TB Pommie and Tirta Samudra, skilfully brought the 261.3-meter-long vessel into berth.
By 06:12 WIB, the MV Star Voyager was moored safely, its arrival smooth and seamless.
“This pilotage was conducted safely and in full compliance with maritime safety standards,” Capt. Rosalina shared modestly after the operation.
“There’s a special sense of pride when piloting a ship that brings so many tourists into our country. It’s a chance to showcase Indonesia, not just our beauty, but our capabilities too,” she shared further.
Her achievement marks another stride forward for PT Pelindo Jasa Maritim (SPJM), a subholding of PT Pelindo (Persero), responsible for marine, equipment, and port services.
SPJM has long supported the advancement of maritime operations in Indonesia, but today, it celebrates something more profound: progress in both skill and representation.
Capt. Rosalina’s journey has spanned three ports, Dumai, Tanjung Balai Karimun, and now Kuala Tanjung. Her presence on the bridge of the Star Voyager isn’t just a personal accomplishment, it’s a signal to young women across Indonesia that the sea holds opportunities for them too.
The arrival of the MV Star Voyager isn’t just a logistical success, it’s an economic and cultural win for Kuala Tanjung. Thousands of cruise passengers bring not only revenue for local businesses but a rare opportunity for international visitors to glimpse a lesser-known corner of Indonesia.
The vessel, boasting a gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 77,441 tons, is scheduled for a 10-hour stopover before setting sail again at 16:30 WIB, en route to the Port of Singapore. On its departure, the pilotage will be entrusted to another SPJM expert, Capt. Gunawan.
But it is the morning’s quiet triumph that will be remembered, a woman in command, a ship piloted home, and a port opened to the world.