Jurnal Publikasi Sistem Informasi dan Manajemen Bisnis Volume.
Number.
3 September 2025 e-ISSN: 2808-8980.
p-ISSN: 2808-9383.
Page 162-171 DOI: https://doi.
org/10.
55606/jupsim.
Available : https://journalcenter.
org/index.
php/jupsim Standard Operating Procedures for Tugboat Clearance and Service Enhancement at Jepara Port Rikman SohriadhanaA*.
Hidayah2.
Ali Sulistyo Budi3.
Anton Novianto4.
Paiman5 Program Studi Manajemen.
Fakultas Ekonomi Bisnis.
Sekolah Tinggi Manajemen Transportasi Malahayati.
North Jakarta.
Indonesia Email: rikman_sohriadhana@stmtmalahayati@ac.
Address: Jl.
Sungai Tirem No.
Marunda Baru-Cilincing North Jakarta 14150 Indonesia * Author correspondence Abstract.
Background: Clearance in and clearance out procedures are critical components of port operations that directly affect service quality, vessel turnaround time, and port sustainability.
Jepara Port, as a regional hub, faces challenges in implementing effective clearance procedures for tugboats, notably TB.
Bintang Harbour 4009, operated by PT.
Sinar Bintang Samudera.
Original value: Prior research has extensively examined container terminal performance and green port policies, but limited studies address tugboat clearance processes in smaller regional ports, despite their strategic role in supporting larger maritime logistics chains and sustainable port development frameworks.
Objectives: This research investigates the clearance in/out procedures at Jepara Port, analyzes their influence on service quality, and evaluates whether adherence to SOPs can enhance efficiency and sustainability within the context of integrated maritime policy frameworks.
Methodology: A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, direct observations, and document Data were analyzed through thematic analysis, cross-group comparisons, and narrative synthesis, incorporating sustainability assessment frameworks.
Results: Findings revealed that while SOPs exist, their implementation is hindered by documentation errors, inconsistent inter-agency coordination, and partial These issues contribute to prolonged clearance times and reduced compliance rates.
However, improvements in first-time-right documentation and single-channel digital communication were shown to significantly enhance clearance performance and environmental outcomes.
Conclusions: Clearance procedures are more than administrative requirements.
they are strategic levers for port service quality, sustainability, and maritime vocational education.
Strengthening these procedures can improve efficiency, reduce emissions, enhance port resilience, and support sustainable maritime development goals.
Keywords: Jepara Port.
Maritime Sustainability.
Port Resilience.
Service Quality.
SOP.
Tugboat Clearance.
INTRODUCTION
The maritime industry plays a pivotal role in global economic development, with ports serving as the critical nodes of international trade and transportation.
Within this system, clearance proceduresAiboth in and outAiare essential for the efficient functioning of port operations and sustainable maritime development.
These processes regulate vessel entry and departure, ensuring compliance with safety, security, and administrative requirements while contributing to broader sustainability objectives (Caldeirinha et al.
, 2024.
Zhou et al.
, 2.
Despite being viewed as routine, the clearance process has profound implications for vessel turnaround time, port competitiveness, environmental performance, and sustainability Tugboats, while auxiliary in nature, are integral to these operations as they enable larger vessels to berth, maneuver, and depart efficiently while minimizing environmental impact through optimized movements (Du et al.
, 2.
For ports like Jepara in Indonesia.
Manuscript Received: August 7, 2025.
Revised: August 21, 2025.
Accepted: September 8, 2025.
Published:
September 10, 2025 Standard Operating Procedures for Tugboat Clearance and Service Enhancement at Jepara Port tugboat clearance procedures are central to service quality, operational reliability, and sustainable port development.
Inefficiencies in clearance procedures have long been recognized as systemic obstacles in port performance and sustainability achievement.
According to Qi.
Wang, and Zheng .
, paperwork-intensive procedures often create delays, raising costs for shipping companies and reducing port competitiveness while increasing vessel idle time and associated emissions.
Similarly.
Zhou et al.
emphasize that administrative efficiency is as critical as infrastructure in sustaining port performance and achieving green port objectives.
Kim et al.
further highlight that port resilience depends significantly on efficient operational procedures and stakeholder coordination.
The integration of sustainable practices into port operations has become increasingly important, with environmental considerations now forming a core component of port management strategies (Liao & Lee, 2.
Digital transformation initiatives, as discussed by recent research on port automation and digitalization, demonstrate the potential for technologyenhanced clearance procedures to improve both efficiency and environmental outcomes (Kim et al.
, 2.
However, in developing maritime regions, these inefficiencies are magnified due to resource limitations, fragmented digital adoption, and inconsistent coordination between port stakeholders.
Jepara Port provides an illustrative case where tugboat clearance processes can determine whether vessels experience timely service or costly delays, directly impacting both operational efficiency and environmental performance.
The port's strategic position within Indonesia's maritime network makes it a critical case study for understanding how clearance procedures affect regional maritime logistics and sustainability goals (Paridaens & Notteboom, 2.
The central problem addressed in this study is the limited efficiency and inconsistency in the clearance in and clearance out procedures for tugboats at Jepara Port, specifically TB.
Bintang Harbour 4009.
Although SOPs exist, preliminary insights suggest gaps between formal procedures and actual practice, resulting in bottlenecks, delays, service dissatisfaction, and potential negative environmental impacts from extended vessel waiting times.
The research questions guiding this inquiry are: .
What are the actual clearance in procedures for tugboats at Jepara Port? .
What are the clearance out procedures and their environmental implications? .
How do these procedures influence service quality and sustainability outcomes at the port? .
What role do digitalization and coordination play in procedure effectiveness? JUPSIM - VOLUME.
NUMBER.
3 SEPTEMBER 2025
e-ISSN: 2808-8980.
p-ISSN: 2808-9383.
Page 162-171 The study objectives are fourfold: to systematically document clearance procedures, to evaluate their impact on service delivery and operational performance, to assess their contribution to sustainability goals, and to propose improvements for sustainable and efficient implementation within integrated maritime policy frameworks.
These objectives align with broader maritime research agendas that prioritize port governance reform, service quality improvement, sustainability integration, and resilience building (Paridaens & Notteboom.
Caldas.
Pedro, & Marques, 2024.
Kim et al.
, 2.
The significance of this study lies in its contribution to four interlinked domains.
First, it informs port and shipping management by identifying clearance inefficiencies and proposing targeted solutions that enhance both operational and environmental performance.
Second, it enriches maritime vocational education by providing cadets and researchers with empirical evidence of clearance processes and their sustainability implications.
Third, it advances sustainability discourse by linking clearance efficiency with reduced emissions from idle vessels, improved port governance, and resilience building.
Fourth, it contributes to the understanding of digital transformation in port operations and its role in achieving sustainable development goals (Mwendapole & Jin, 2021.
Liao & Lee, 2.
RESEARCH METHOD
This study employed a qualitative descriptive methodology, designed to capture the complex experiences and practices associated with tugboat clearance at Jepara Port while incorporating sustainability assessment frameworks.
The research approach aligns with contemporary maritime research methodologies that emphasize stakeholder engagement and sustainability evaluation (Kim et al.
, 2021.
Zhou et al.
, 2.
The population of the study consisted of stakeholders directly involved in clearance procedures, including ship officers of TB.
Bintang Harbour 4009.
PT.
Sinar Bintang Samudera operations staff, port agents.
Harbor Master and KSOP officials, terminal representatives, and environmental compliance officers.
These respondents were selected purposively, as they represented the individuals most knowledgeable about clearance operations and their sustainability implications.
Snowball sampling further allowed participants to recommend additional informants, ensuring a diverse set of perspectives including those related to environmental management and digital transformation initiatives.
The primary instruments were semi-structured interviews, structured questionnaires, observation checklists, and sustainability assessment tools.
Independent variables included SOP clarity, documentation completeness, inter-agency coordination, digital adoption levels.
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Standard Operating Procedures for Tugboat Clearance and Service Enhancement at Jepara Port and environmental compliance procedures, while dependent variables were defined as service quality, efficiency, and sustainability performance indicators.
Key performance indicators comprised: .
Service Performance Indicator (SPI), which measured median clearance times.
Process Compliance Indicator (PCI), which tracked firsttime-right documentation rates.
Environmental Impact Indicator (EII), which assessed emissions from vessel waiting times.
Digital Adoption Index (DAI), which measured technology integration levels.
Stakeholder Satisfaction Index (SSI), which evaluated service quality perceptions Interviews explored clearance steps, bottlenecks, digitalization challenges, and sustainability considerations, while questionnaires operationalized these into measurable items on Likert scales.
Observational checklists recorded timestamps and delays in clearance cycles, environmental impact indicators, and digital system utilization patterns.
Supporting instruments included SOP manuals, clearance documentation, environmental management protocols, and digital system logs.
Data collection proceeded in five stages, incorporating sustainability assessment Ethical approvals and consent were secured, followed by pilot interviews to refine the instruments and validate sustainability metrics.
The main phase involved 24 interviews, 35 questionnaires, eight complete clearance cycle observations, and environmental impact Supplementary data came from document reviews and digital system analytics.
This enhanced triangulation ensured reliability and validity while capturing both operational and environmental dimensions.
Data analysis was conducted using thematic coding, refined into axial categories with particular attention to sustainability themes.
A reliability check on 25% of transcripts achieved Cohen's Kappa above 0.
Themes were organized into clusters related to competence development, sustainability, digital transformation, and stakeholder coordination, with crossgroup comparisons highlighting both commonalities and divergences.
Narrative synthesis then integrated these findings into a cohesive account that addresses both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
JUPSIM - VOLUME.
NUMBER.
3 SEPTEMBER 2025
e-ISSN: 2808-8980.
p-ISSN: 2808-9383.
Page 162-171
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Quantitative Indicators of Clearance Performance Four key indicators were measured: Service Performance Indicator (SPI).
Process Compliance Indicator (PCI).
Environmental Impact Indicator (EII), and Digital Adoption Index (DAI).
Table 1.
Enhanced Clearance Performance Indicators.
Indicator Measurement Result Benchmark Interpretation Median time from arrival to clearance Above SLA, showing SPI (I.
SPI
Median time from clearance request to O5 Prolonged turnaround (Ou.
departure approval .
% of documents accepted first-timePCI
68% Ou90% High rate of rework
COCC emissions from waiting vessels Environmental impact
EII
145 O100
g/clearanc.
Partial adoption.
DAI % digital process integration 54% Ou90% SSI Stakeholder satisfaction (Likert 1-.
Ou4 Moderate satisfaction Findings show clearance times consistently exceed the desired five-hour benchmark, largely due to documentation rework and inconsistent coordination.
The environmental impact indicator reveals significant COCC emissions from vessels waiting for clearance, highlighting the sustainability implications of procedural inefficiencies (Liao & Lee, 2.
Thematic Results from Interviews and Observations Qualitative thematic analysis produced six key themes, incorporating sustainability and digital transformation dimensions:
Table 2.
Enhanced Thematic Insights from Stakeholder Interviews.
Theme SOP clarity vs.
Documentation Coordination Partial Description Illustrative Evidence Sustainability Link Inconsistency "Steps are clear on paper.
SOPs exist, but staff but after-hours shifts adapt them situationally create improvisation.
Frequent errors and "Safety certificate dates Delays increase mismatched attachments often mismatch with vessel emissions require re-submissions electronic files.
Delays occur at "Most waiting is for Poor coordination handoffs, not at corrections, not actual wastes resources sign-off.
PCS exists but parallel "We still send via Digital gaps reduce channels persist WhatsApp to be safe.
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Standard Operating Procedures for Tugboat Clearance and Service Enhancement at Jepara Port Theme Environmental awareness gaps Service quality Description Limited integration of Clearance delays affect overall port Illustrative Evidence "Environmental impact isn't measured in clearance time.
"If clearance is late, berthing schedules slip, affecting carriers.
Sustainability Link Missing Cascading effects on port sustainability Cross-Group Comparisons Perspectives differed across groups of respondents, with enhanced focus on sustainability and digital transformation:
Table 3.
Enhanced Cross-Group Comparison of Perspectives.
Stakeholder Group Key Concerns Ambiguity of document Ship officers delays impact High rework from Port agents incomplete submissions Sustainability Focus Digital Readiness Moderate, prefer Limited awareness of environmental impact Growing interest in High, advocate for green processes digital solutions Responsible for Coordination gaps and Variable, depends Port authority staff resource limitations on training Company PT.
Sinar Bintang Compliance with SOPs but High, driven by Samudera staff lack of predictability efficiency needs Environmental Integration of Central focus on High, use digital environmental protocols emissions reduction monitoring tools Discussion These results directly address the four research questions while providing enhanced insights into sustainability and digital transformation aspects.
First, clearance in/out procedures at Jepara Port follow formal SOPs but diverge in practice due to inconsistent enforcement, limited environmental integration, and partial digital adoption.
Second, inefficiencies stem from recurrent documentation errors, coordination lapses, and insufficient sustainability Third, clearance activities have measurable impacts on both service quality and environmental performance, as delays ripple into berthing schedules, increase emissions, and affect overall port sustainability.
Fourth, digitalization remains incomplete, creating parallel systems that reduce efficiency and environmental benefits.
JUPSIM - VOLUME.
NUMBER.
3 SEPTEMBER 2025
e-ISSN: 2808-8980.
p-ISSN: 2808-9383.
Page 162-171 The study confirms prior findings that administrative inefficiencies, especially paperwork errors and fragmented communication, are central obstacles to port service quality and sustainability achievement (Qi et al.
, 2022.
Mwendapole & Jin, 2021.
Zhou et al.
, 2.
It extends the literature by applying these observations to tugboat operations in a regional port context, demonstrating their strategic importance for both operational efficiency and environmental performance.
The environmental impact findings align with recent research on green port policies and sustainable maritime operations (Liao & Lee, 2023.
Du et al.
, 2.
The 145 kg COCC per clearance cycle represents a significant environmental cost that could be reduced through procedural improvements and digital integration.
This supports the argument for viewing clearance procedures as environmental management tools rather than purely administrative The partial digitalization results echo findings from port automation studies (Kim et al.
, demonstrating that technology adoption without comprehensive governance creates The 54% digital adoption rate indicates substantial room for improvement, particularly in integrating environmental monitoring and stakeholder coordination systems.
Port resilience considerations, as highlighted by Kim et al.
, are evident in the coordination breakdown theme, where procedural inconsistencies create vulnerabilities in port The study suggests that strengthening clearance procedures contributes to overall port resilience and sustainability.
The research also highlights methodological strengths, including enhanced triangulation with sustainability metrics, multi-stakeholder engagement incorporating environmental perspectives, and applied relevance for maritime vocational education.
Limitations include the single-port scope and reliance on qualitative self-reporting for some environmental indicators, suggesting future research could employ IoT sensors for real-time emissions monitoring or compare multiple Indonesian ports using standardized sustainability frameworks.
CONCLUSION
This study critically evaluated tugboat clearance procedures at Jepara Port, focusing on TB.
Bintang Harbour 4009, with enhanced attention to sustainability and digital transformation Results revealed inefficiencies caused by documentation errors, inconsistent coordination, partial digitalization, and limited environmental integration, with clearance times exceeding desired benchmarks and generating significant environmental impacts.
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Standard Operating Procedures for Tugboat Clearance and Service Enhancement at Jepara Port The research demonstrates that clearance procedures are strategic levers for achieving multiple objectives: operational efficiency, service quality, environmental sustainability, and port resilience.
The 145 kg COCC emissions per clearance cycle highlight the environmental cost of procedural inefficiencies, while the 68% first-time-right documentation rate indicates substantial room for improvement in both efficiency and sustainability outcomes.
Key findings include: .
SOPs exist but require better integration of environmental considerations and digital tools.
coordination gaps create both operational delays and environmental impacts.
partial digitalization reduces potential efficiency and sustainability .
stakeholder awareness of environmental implications remains limited.
targeted improvements in documentation integrity and digital governance can significantly enhance both service quality and environmental performance.
The study contributes to four domains: port and shipping management through identification of efficiency and sustainability improvements.
maritime vocational education through empirical evidence of modern clearance challenges.
sustainability governance through linking operational procedures with environmental outcomes.
and digital transformation understanding through analysis of technology adoption barriers and opportunities.
Future research should focus on developing integrated digital platforms that combine operational efficiency with real-time environmental monitoring, comparative studies across multiple Indonesian ports to identify best practices, and longitudinal assessments of sustainability improvements following procedural reforms.
The urgency of reforming clearance procedures is underscored by the dual imperatives of operational efficiency and environmental responsibility in modern maritime operations.
REFERENCES