Gov’t Steps Up Efforts to Build Competitive Shipbuilding Sector, Backed by Research, Innovation, and Stronger National Shipyards

President Prabowo Subianto Monday (07/27) held a limited meeting with several Red and White Cabinet ministers at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta to discuss a range of issues, including cooperation in the shipping industry.

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto stated that the President had instructed the cabinet to prepare for and develop the shipping industry, as Indonesia has very high demand for ships.

The Minister also said that the President expressed hope for continued growth of Indonesia’s shipbuilding industry. He added that the President called on universities to focus on developing technology and conducting research to meet the needs of the national industry.

Collaboration between universities and state-owned shipbuilder PT. PAL Indonesia is also expected to strengthen the capacity of domestic shipbuilding industry.

“Together with PT PAL, future research, studies, and the expertise of professors in shipbuilding can help developing our domestic shipbuilding industry, thereby creating jobs and ensuring that our national demand can be met by domestic producers,” he continued.

The Minister went on to say that Indonesia’s demand for ships spans a wide range of sectors, from passenger transportation to domestic logistics. He added that this strong demand presents a market opportunity that should be leveraged to drive the growth of the national shipbuilding industry.

“We hope research efforts are encouraged to support PT PAL in developing our shipping sector,” he added.

In the meantime, Minister of Investment and Downstream/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan Roeslani stated that the Government continues to strengthen the capacity of the national shipyard industry to improve its capabilities.

“We also have shipyards, both state-owned and privately owned national companies, that we want to strengthen. We want to develop them so that shipbuilding can be carried out in Indonesia while adhering to high-quality international standard,” he said.

By combining the impact of university researches, stronger national industry capacity, and government support, President Prabowo Subianto aims to transform Indonesia’s shipping industry into a strategic sector that creates jobs, strengthens industrial self-reliance and positions Indonesia as an increasingly competitive maritime power.  (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RAS/EP)