Naval Strategies for Safeguarding National Vital Energy Objects at Integrated Terminal Tanjunguban within Indonesia’s Maritime Security Architecture

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FORMOSA NEWS - Jakarta - Indonesian Navy Strengthens Defense Strategy to Safeguard Tanjunguban Vital Energy Hub from Modern Maritime Threats. As geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region continue to shift, securing national energy infrastructure has become a critical priority for state sovereignty and economic resilience. A recent peer-reviewed study has highlighted the strategic importance of integrated naval defense operations in protecting the Integrated Terminal Tanjunguban in the Riau Islands. This facility serves as a vital distribution hub for fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across several Indonesian regions. The comprehensive research was conducted by a team of defense and security experts: Alberth Levi Sihotang, Achmad Sochfan, M. B. Pandjaitan, and Jaka Lelana from the Indonesian Naval Staff and Command College (Seskoal) , alongside Indra Wijayanto from the Personnel Administration Office of the Fleet Command I (Disminpers Koarmada I) of the Indonesian Navy. Published in March 2026 in the Formosa Journal of Sustainable Research (FJSR) , the study analyzes how sea control, critical infrastructure protection, and rapid response tactics are operationalized to maintain local maritime security and broader regional stability.

Protecting a Critical Node in the Global Maritime Network
Indonesia's unique status as the world's largest archipelagic state places it at the intersection of major global sea lines of communication. The waters surrounding the Tanjunguban terminal are positioned near high-traffic commercial routes connected to the Malacca Strait. This strategic choke point handles a substantial portion of global trade and energy shipments, exposing local energy hubs to diverse risks. According to the research team from Seskoal and Disminpers Koarmada I, the geographical dispersion of national vital objects means that a security disruption at a single critical node can trigger severe cascading effects. Such incidents could compromise national energy availability, halt industrial production, and undermine overall economic resilience. The maritime environment surrounding Tanjunguban is challenged by dense commercial traffic, overlapping jurisdictions, and a spectrum of threats ranging from smuggling and illegal fishing to terrorism, sabotage, and hybrid tactics. Consequently, the site represents both a critical logistical asset and a core pillar of Indonesia's national defense posture.

A Comprehensive Field-Based Methodology
To accurately evaluate the security framework at the terminal, Alberth Levi Sihotang and his co-authors utilized a qualitative descriptive research design. The investigative process combined document-based site reviews with detailed field observations of the terminal’s geography and current security deployments. The researchers gathered primary data through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with key informants, including naval officers, maritime law enforcement personnel, port authorities, and corporate security managers from the energy operator. By applying a structured problem-mapping approach, the team identified physical vulnerabilities and evaluated how operational security orders, contingency plans, and naval exercises are planned, executed, and subsequently reviewed. This field-driven approach allowed the authors to synthesize practical operational realities with modern maritime defense doctrines.

Key Findings: The Architecture of Multi-Agency Synergy
The research highlights that robust protection of vital coastal infrastructure cannot depend on independent naval patrols alone. The study details three core findings regarding the security ecosystem at the terminal:

• Naval Forces as Strategic Drivers: Operations managed by the Fleet Command I (Koarmada I) successfully position the waters around the terminal as priority security zones. Continuous naval presence and active sea control deter unauthorized intrusions and safeguard vital approaches.
• Mitigating Jurisdictional Gaps: Effective protection relies heavily on structured cooperation, shared situational awareness, and the interoperability of communication systems among the Indonesian Navy, maritime law enforcement agencies, port authorities, and energy operators.
• Operational Readiness through Joint Drills: Regular command-post exercises, joint tactical drills, and table-top simulations are critical capital. These exercises validate standing operating procedures and ensure rapid response capacity during security emergencies or maritime accidents.
  

Real-World Implications and Policy Impact
The insights generated by the researchers from Seskoal and Disminpers Koarmada I provide clear actionable guidance for policymakers, military strategist, and private energy stakeholders. The study emphasizes that revitalizing maritime security requires moving beyond traditional asset accumulation toward fostering technological and operational innovation. The authors recommend that government bodies institutionalize real-time information sharing across state maritime agencies to eliminate coordinate weaknesses. Furthermore, the study underlines the necessity of integrating advanced surveillance technologies such as maritime radar networks, satellite-based monitoring systems, and unmanned aerial and maritime systems to enhance early threat detection capabilities around strategic national assets. Reflecting on the findings, the research team from the Indonesian Naval Staff and Command College (Seskoal) noted that cultivating an ethos of collective responsibility among military units, commercial operators, and local coastal communities transforms a vulnerable energy facility into an inclusive, highly resilient security zone.

Author Profiles

Alberth Levi Sihotang, S.E., M.M. – Lead Researcher at the Indonesian Naval Staff and Command College (Seskoal). Expert in maritime security architecture, national vital object protection, and naval operations planning.
Achmad Sochfan, S.T., M.T. – Researcher and Lecturer at the Indonesian Naval Staff and Command College (Seskoal). Specializes in naval defense strategies, maritime logistics networks, and tactical coordination mechanisms.
M. B. Pandjaitan, S.I.P., M.A. – Defense Scholar at the Indonesian Naval Staff and Command College (Seskoal). Focuses on maritime domain awareness frameworks, critical infrastructure policy, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Jaka Lelana, S.Sos., M.Si. – Academic Researcher at the Indonesian Naval Staff and Command College (Seskoal). Expertise includes multi-agency collaboration models, institutional security frameworks, and coastal community dynamics.

Indra Wijayanto, S.E. – Maritime Defense Practitioner at the Personnel Administration Office, Fleet Command I (Disminpers Koarmada I), Republic of Indonesia Navy. Specializes in naval personnel readiness, fleet operational deployment, and field security synchronization.

Source
Alberth Levy Sihotang, Achmad Sochfan, Jaka Lelana, Indra Wijayanto (2026), Naval Strategies for Safeguarding National Vital Energy Objects at Integrated Terminal Tanjunguban within Indonesia's Maritime Security Architecture, Formosa Journal of Sustainable Research (FJSR) 2026, Vol. 5, No. 3, Halaman 187-196

URL: https://journalfjsr.my.id/index.php/fjsr
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjsr.v5i3.19