Transport Minister Replaces Director General of Sea Transportation, Appoints Lollan Panjaitan as Acting Director

JAKARTA — Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has replaced Director General of Sea Transportation Muhammad Masyhud. The position will temporarily be held by Lollan Panjaitan, who previously served as Secretary of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, as Acting Director General.

The change is part of an internal evaluation and organizational refresh within the Ministry of Transportation, particularly aimed at strengthening performance and oversight in the sea transportation sector.

Acting Head of the Ministry of Transportation’s Bureau of Public Communications and Information, Farida Makhmudah, confirmed the change. She said the leadership changes were not limited to the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, but also included the Human Resources Development Agency for Transportation (BPSDMP).

“Yes, there has been a change, and an acting official has now been appointed. So, it is not only the Director General of Sea Transportation position, but also the head of BPSDMP,” Farida said, as quoted by Antara on Friday (September 18, 2026).

Lollan Panjaitan, who previously served as Secretary of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, will now carry out the duties of Acting Director General. His appointment is intended to ensure that organizational operations and responsibilities in the sea transportation sector continue to run smoothly.

Transportation Minister Dudy said the replacement of the Director General of Sea Transportation was part of an internal evaluation within the Ministry of Transportation. The ministry also emphasized that the decision was not solely related to a series of recent maritime accidents.

According to Farida, the leadership refresh is aimed at strengthening the oversight system and ensuring that all officials share the same focus and sense of urgency in improving maritime safety.

Safety, she said, remains one of the ministry’s key priorities. Improvements will cover not only regulations and administrative procedures, but also operational oversight in the field, compliance with safety standards, vessel seaworthiness, monitoring of passenger and cargo loads, as well as pre-departure procedures.

In addition to replacing the Director General of Sea Transportation, the Ministry of Transportation has also made a leadership change at BPSDMP. The position needed to be filled after the previous official reached retirement age.

The ministry said the changes are part of organizational efforts to strengthen leadership, oversight, and public services in the sea transportation sector.