A Batam Weekend Trip on the Horizon 9 Ferry Took an Unexpected Turn

For many of us who love quick weekend getaways, the ferry ride between Batam and Singapore is almost second nature. It is familiar, convenient, and usually very uneventful: you board, settle into your seat, watch the water go by, and in under an hour you’re stepping back onto home ground. But for the 165 passengers travelling on the Horizon 9 on the evening of November 10, the journey took an unexpected turn.

Also read: Why You Should Visit Batam: The Perfect Weekend Escape for Singaporeans

Smooth sailing… until it wasn’t

The Horizon 9 is a Singapore-registered passenger ferry that frequently shuttles travellers between the popular Indonesian island of Batam and Singapore. On this particular trip, it was on its way back to HarbourFront Centre, carrying both locals and tourists who had spent the day or weekend across the strait. The weather was typical, and the waters calm, so most passengers likely assumed it would be a smooth ride.

However, at around 5 pm, as the ferry was approaching Singapore waters near the Southern Islands, it collided with a chemical tanker named La Digue. The tanker is registered under the Marshall Islands and was already in the area when the incident took place. According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the ferry sustained damage to its bow above the waterline. Thankfully, this damage did not compromise the ferry’s ability to navigate, and it remained fully operational.

Fortunately, no one was injured. All 165 passengers and the seven crew members on board were unharmed.

Chaos, control, and crew reassurance

Without power, the vessel drifted, and it became apparent that it was edging closer to the La Digue. A loud bang followed when the two vessels made contact. As one might expect, there was a brief moment of tension and concern among those on board. Some people even prayed aloud, fearing the worst.

But the ferry staff quickly stepped in to reassure everyone. They informed passengers that the damage appeared minor and that assistance had already been deployed. The MPA sent a patrol craft to escort the ferry safely to HarbourFront Centre, where passengers disembarked as usual.

Damage managed, waters protected

The La Digue, the chemical tanker involved, reported no damage at all. Importantly, there were no signs of pollution or oil spills resulting from the collision. This is a crucial point, given how environmentally sensitive and heavily utilised Singapore’s surrounding waters are. The MPA also confirmed that the incident did not disrupt port traffic or operations in the area, meaning the situation was contained and managed swiftly.

MPA is currently investigating the cause of the collision to understand what went wrong and how future incidents can be prevented.

Travel takeaway: still safe to sail

For travellers, this episode serves as a reminder that while sea routes are generally safe and very tightly regulated, unexpected things can still happen. Yet the quick response and organised handling of the situation also reinforces confidence in the safety systems in place.

Also read: 10 Must-Know Batam Travel Tips for First-Timers Going

Weekend ferry plans? Still perfectly good to go. Maybe just hold onto the railings and take in the sea breeze a little more mindfully next time.