Indonesia is committing 234.55 trillion rupiah—roughly US$12.9 billion—to overhaul its national fishing fleet by 2029, anchored by a pledge to distribute 4,582 modern vessels entirely free of charge to local operators.
Reported by ANTARA, the undertaking stands as one of the largest structural investments in the nation’s maritime sector, designed to fundamentally reshape Indonesia’s maritime economy.
Phasing Out Wooden Vessels
The backbone of the country’s fishing industry has relied on traditional wooden vessels.
In fact, wooden boats currently account for roughly 91 percent of Indonesia’s active fishing fleet. The new initiative aims to phase out these aging craft gradually, replacing them with modern hulls built from steel and aluminium.
Free Distribution Model
Mochamad Idnillah, Director of the Directorate of Fishing Vessels and Equipment at Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, outlined the distribution model for the incoming fleet.
“All fishing vessels under this modernisation initiative, funded through various financing schemes, will be granted entirely free of charge to fishers,” he stated.
Tackling Supply Chain Inefficiencies
The newly constructed vessels will feature built-in refrigeration units and modern catch preservation systems. These technological additions are engineered to maintain fish quality from the point of harvest to the market, allowing fishermen to secure higher selling prices and actively reduce post-harvest losses.
Accelerating National Strategic Status
To execute the ambitious construction schedule, the ministry plans to collaborate with both domestic and foreign manufacturers.
Consequently, the ministry is currently drafting a presidential decree to elevate the entire initiative to the status of a national strategic project.
