AHY Visits Russia to Meet Putin's Aide, Securing Maritime Business Deals
The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), led an Indonesia-Russia bilateral consultation in the maritime sector alongside the Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board, Nikolai Patrushev, in Moscow on Monday (1/6/2026). This meeting, a follow-up to the dialogue initiated in Jakarta in November 2025, resulted in agreements to strengthen cooperation in shipbuilding, maritime connectivity, logistics, human resource development, and the sustainable use of marine and fishery resources.
In his remarks, AHY emphasised that the relationship between Indonesia and Russia continues to evolve towards a more strategic partnership, particularly following the launch of the Strategic Partnership Declaration agreed upon by President Prabowo Subimanto and President Vladimir Putin in June 2025. “The relationship between our two nations is no longer solely based on political and diplomatic ties, but is moving towards a more concrete strategic partnership in economic development, connectivity, technology, and regional resilience,” said AHY.
AHY explained that as an archipelagic nation with 17,380 islands, Indonesia requires an integrated and sustainable connectivity system. Consequently, Russia’s experience in transport, infrastructure, logistics, and maritime technology holds great potential to support Indonesia’s national development agenda. “Developing connectivity cannot rely on a single mode of transport. A balance and collaboration between modes is required to strengthen equitable development while reducing national logistics costs,” AHY stated.
During the bilateral consultation, both nations discussed several priority areas of cooperation, including increasing sea transport capacity, scientific and technical cooperation in the maritime field, sustainable port development, shipbuilding industry development, maritime human resource education and training, and the sustainable management of marine and fishery resources. AHY noted that both Indonesia and Russia share similar characteristics as major maritime nations with vast opportunities for long-term partnership.
As a follow-up to this cooperation, both countries agreed to establish three strategic working groups. The first group will focus on the development of the shipbuilding industry and sustainable ports; the second will handle the sustainable development of marine and fishery resources; and the third will focus on human resource development, research, and training. AHY stated that the formation of these working groups is a vital step to ensure all cooperation agendas are directed, measurable, and yield tangible benefits for both nations.
On this occasion, AHY also revealed several concrete developments resulting from previous bilateral consultations. These include cooperation between PT PAL Indonesia and Rosatom regarding Floating Nuclear Power Plants (FNPP), which commenced with the signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in April 2026 and will proceed through a Memorandum of Understanding. Additionally, discussions regarding shipbuilding cooperation between PT PAL Indonesia and Ak Bars Shipbuilding Corporation are ongoing. PT Pelindo is also following up on cooperation with CIFREX for the development of high-speed vessels. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry, alongside the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is coordinating plans to send skilled shipyard workers to Russia.
Concluding the meeting, AHY emphasised that Indonesia-Russia cooperation in the maritime sector is not merely a commitment on paper but is moving towards real implementation, expected to strengthen connectivity, increase industrial competitiveness, and drive economic growth for both countries.