Salvage of Sunken KM Virgo Transport 8 Planned for October 2026

PT Virgo Karya Shipping announced that the KM Virgo Transport 8, which sank in the Java Sea, is slated for a raise-operation in October 2026. The company has been in prolonged negotiations with its international Protection and Indemnity insurer and has obtained backing letters from the Ministry of Transportation, the Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP) and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). While a salvage contractor has been shortlisted, the contract is pending signature pending data submissions to the insurer.

The salvage crew is expected to reach the site within the month. The Ministry of Transportation has ordered an immediate raise because 55 victims are still unaccounted for, with 80 confirmed dead and 108 survivors as of the latest count. Ongoing search efforts continue to locate the missing passengers listed on the vessel’s manifest.