Balikpapan – When a ferry sets sail, the vehicles on its deck are also affected by the vessel’s movements and the waves. Behind what may seem like an ordinary journey, vehicle placement and the strength of securing systems play an important role in safety. These concerns have inspired Ir. Alamsyah, S.T., M.T., a lecturer at Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK), to pursue research that addresses practical needs in maritime transportation.

Alongside ferry safety, Alamsyah and his team are exploring natural fibers as alternative materials for vessel construction. These two research areas bring together safety considerations, maritime industry needs, and the potential of local resources.

His research achievements earned him second place in ITK’s Outstanding Scientific Publication Achievement Award for the 2025–2026 period, presented at the Open Senate Session marking ITK’s 12th anniversary. For Alamsyah, the recognition encourages him to continue conducting research with students and collaborators.

Why Study Vehicles on Board Ferries?

Vehicles on a ship’s deck require proper arrangement and securing. As waves cause the vessel to move, each vehicle may experience different forces depending on its size, mass, center of gravity, and position.

In a 2025 study, Alamsyah and his team examined vehicles’ tendency to overturn due to vessel motions in waves approaching from the side. Focusing on the Bira–Pamatata route, the study used numerical simulations to understand how vehicle characteristics and placement influence this risk.

The research was published in Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research under the title An Estimation Method for the Overthrowing Moment of Vehicles on the Car Deck of the Ro-Ro Ferry.

Through this modeling, the team sought to provide a basis for calculating vehicle arrangements and securing requirements. Cargo placement can therefore take into account how vehicles respond to vessel motions, alongside the space available on deck.

Examining Vehicle Securing Systems on the Balikpapan–Penajam Route

The research continued in 2026 with a focus on vehicle securing systems, commonly known as lashing. This study examined the Balikpapan–Penajam Paser Utara route, a ferry crossing closely connected to daily life in East Kalimantan.

The team investigated how lashing angles affect system strength using the finite element method, a computer simulation technique used to estimate how a structure responds to loads.

Four lashing configurations were compared to assess material stresses and safety factors. In simple terms, a safety factor indicates a structure’s capacity relative to the load it must withstand.

According to Alamsyah, one of the proposed configurations achieved a higher safety factor under the simulated scenarios. This finding opens opportunities for further research into lashing design and the use of deck space.

The simulation results provide technical input for further development. Implementation in practice will still require testing, evaluation under operating conditions, and compliance with applicable safety requirements.

Exploring Rattan’s Potential as a Material for Vessel Construction

In materials research, Alamsyah studies composites reinforced with rattan and jute fibers. A composite combines different materials to achieve the desired properties.

His study, titled Technical Analysis of Rattan and Jute Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials, published by AIP Publishing in May 2025, examined tensile and flexural strength using different fiber treatments and compositions.

Tensile testing measures a material’s ability to withstand pulling forces, while flexural testing assesses its resistance to bending loads. Both are important when investigating whether a material is suitable for vessel structures.

According to Alamsyah, the findings indicate that natural fibers have potential for development as alternative materials for vessel construction. However, these composites still require refinement, including combinations with other materials, before they can be considered a complete replacement for fiberglass in boat hulls.

The study represents an initial step toward connecting natural resources with maritime technology development. Further testing is needed to better understand the materials’ strength, durability, and suitability for operational requirements.

Students as Research Partners

For Alamsyah, research also provides a learning environment for students. He involves the students he supervises in every stage, from defining research problems and using simulation software to processing data and drafting manuscripts for publication.

This involvement allows students to understand how practical challenges are translated into research questions, investigated using appropriate methods, and communicated through scientific writing.

He also collaborates with lecturers whose expertise complements his own, as well as industry partners. Field data and input from various stakeholders help the team develop analyses that more closely reflect vessel operating conditions.

Alamsyah acknowledges that obtaining reliable technical data and clearly establishing a study’s novelty are significant challenges. The team addresses these through communication with partners, methodological improvements, and internal reviews before submitting manuscripts to journals.

Recognition as Motivation to Move Forward

“I feel deeply grateful, honored, and even more motivated,” Alamsyah said of the recognition.

He hopes ITK’s research culture will continue to grow through applied studies that address regional needs. Maritime safety, the use of local materials, and technologies that support connectivity across Kalimantan remain areas in which he hopes to contribute.

From natural fibers to vehicle lashing systems on ferries, Alamsyah’s research begins with a question closely connected to people’s lives: how can technology help make journeys safer and add value to regional resources?

The publication award marks a milestone in that journey. The next step is to continue testing and collaboration, bringing research findings closer to delivering the benefits communities hope to see.