Tanjung Emas Port, Indonesia (Prabawardani et al., 2024)

Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang, Central Java, illustrates the complex challenge of building climate resilience in a low-lying coastal port exposed to both sea level rise and severe land subsidence. Relative sea level rise in Semarang is driven largely by land subsidence; subsidence rates in Semarang ranged from 1 to 10 cm per year between 1980 and 2010, driven primarily by groundwater extraction, urbanization, and industrial activity. The combined effect of relative sea level rise has already resulted in frequent tidal flooding, overtopping of infrastructure, accelerated corrosion, scouring of protective structures, and increasing maintenance burdens across port assets and hinterland connections.

In response, the study reports a mix of structural, operational and governance measures already in place and further actions proposed in its action plan; this toolkit reads them together as an emerging resilience pathway, not a formal program. Adaptation actions are anchored within successive Port Master Plans and supported by coordination between the Port Authority (KSOP), the port operator (PT Pelindo), and the national meteorological agency (BMKG). Physical adaptation measures include:

• staged elevation of quay decks and yards
• extension and reinforcement of breakwaters
• polder systems
• pumping stations (Pelindo reported 56 pumps in December 2022; Pelindo, 2022)
• sluice gates for flood control
• continuous dredging to counter sedimentation and maintain navigational depths.

Embankments are periodically raised (30-40 cm increments) to keep pace with subsidence and tidal levels, reflecting an adaptive rather than one-off design philosophy.

Operational resilience measures complement these investments. The port has established predictive and emergency response procedures for tidal flooding, supported by real-time meteorological data sharing with BMKG and short-lead early warnings. Three pump houses send water to a retention pond for disposal.

Using PIANC guidance, the study finds that further identification of disaster-prone port infrastructure is needed. It recommends evaluating design parameters to detect thresholds and fixing maintenance concerns. Equally important is strengthening stakeholder synergy, as adaptation responsibilities are currently fragmented across institutions. The study underscores the potential for integrated early warning systems, shared climate datasets, and unified operating procedures to significantly enhance resilience outcomes.

Overall, Tanjung Emas Port illustrates an incremental approach to climate resilience. Its adaptation pathway reflects the realities faced by many ports in rapidly urbanizing deltas: resilience must be adaptive, staged, and continuously reassessed. Strengthening governance integration, expanding non-structural measures, and linking infrastructure upgrades to long-term climate pathways will be critical to sustaining port functionality under accelerating relative sea level rise.