Indonesia lifts 20-year export ban on sea sand

Recently, the Indonesian government lifted a 20-year ban on sea sand exports. According to the Jakarta Post, the Marine Sediment Management Regulations signed by Indonesian President Joko have lifted the ban on sea sand exports, with immediate effect. The new regulations allow permit holders to export sea sand after meeting local demand.

It is reported that the authorities of the country have incorporated regulations on the export of sea sand into the government's regulations on the management of marine sediment products, which stipulate that sea sand can be used for domestic renovation, government enterprise infrastructure construction, domestic infrastructure construction, and can be exported. Prior to the implementation of the ban, Singapore was Indonesia's largest sea sand import market, with an annual import volume of approximately 250 million cubic meters.

Indonesian Ministry of Ocean Affairs and Fisheries spokesperson Vakhyu said that the promulgation of the Marine Sediment Management Regulations is to ensure that sand mining meets environmental standards and that sea sand exports are only allowed after meeting domestic demand. Exporting sea sand can also increase national income.

Previously, Indonesia was a major supplier of sea sand to Singapore, transporting an average of over 53 million tons of sea sand annually from 1997 to 2002. Indonesia banned the export of sea sand to Singapore in 2003, and in 2007, it once again announced a ban on sea sand exports on the grounds of stopping and cracking down on illegal smuggling of sea sand.

Reuters reported that Singapore may be the biggest beneficiary of Indonesia lifting its ban on sea sand exports. However, Parid of the environmental organization Walhi believes that lifting the ban on sea sand exports violates the Indonesian government's commitment to building a healthier marine ecosystem.