AIS Data Becomes a Strategic Asset for the Maritime Industry, Telkomsat Enhances Satellite-Based Ship Monitoring Capabilities

The digital transformation occurring across various industrial sectors has driven an increasing need for accurate, fast, and reliable data. In the maritime sector, Automatic Identification System (AIS) data has become increasingly strategic. No longer used solely to determine ship positions, AIS data has evolved into a vital source of information that provides a comprehensive picture of shipping activities, trade patterns, logistics movements, and the dynamics of economic activity in a region. The utilisation of AIS data is now an integral part of operations for various sectors, ranging from shipping companies, port operators, the energy industry, fisheries, and insurance, to financial institutions and government agencies requiring real-time maritime monitoring. Through proper data processing and analysis, vessel movement information can be transformed into strategic insights that help improve operational efficiency, optimise business planning, mitigate risks, and support faster and more accurate decision-making. As one of the arteries of global trade, Indonesia has a significant need for comprehensive maritime data. Increasing shipping activity, the growth of the national logistics sector, the development of the offshore energy industry, and the necessity for maritime domain awareness make maritime data a crucial element in supporting national economic development. Responding to this need, PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia (Telkomsat) has introduced its AIS Data service, a satellite-based digital system that collects vessel activity data, enabling customers to gain broader visibility of ship movements in Indonesian waters. To enhance and support its data collection, Telkomsat has deployed terrestrial AIS stations at its coastal base locations. Supported by satellite technology, this service can provide information on ship positions, vessel identity, shipping routes, travel history, port activities, and various other usable parameters. Anggoro Kurnianto Widiawan, Director of Development at Telkomsat, stated that in the current digital economy era, data has become a strategic asset of high value for businesses, including the maritime sector. ‘Maritime data has now developed into a strategic asset with enormous value for various industrial sectors. It not only provides information on ship positions but also generates insights that support operational efficiency, supply chain optimisation, risk management, and the development of new business opportunities. Therefore, the need for accurate and real-time maritime data will continue to grow along with industrial development,’ he said. Anggoro further explained that advances in satellite technology have opened up greater opportunities to provide wider and more sustainable maritime activity monitoring. Satellite technology also enables more comprehensive data collection, allowing customers to obtain a more complete picture of vessel activities and field conditions. ‘Customer needs today go beyond just connectivity; they also require data to be processed into valuable information that supports decision-making. For this reason, Telkomsat continues to strengthen its capabilities in data and analytics to deliver solutions that provide tangible benefits to customers. Through the AIS Data service, we aim to help customers gain better visibility of maritime activities, thereby improving their efficiency, productivity, and business competitiveness,’ he added. Telkomsat’s AIS Data service can be utilised for various needs, ranging from real-time fleet monitoring, shipping pattern analysis, and port activity monitoring, to maritime domain surveillance and the provision of supporting data for research and development activities. These capabilities make the AIS Data service a vital component in supporting the digitalisation of the maritime industry. The availability of accurate and continuous data can help improve the effectiveness of maritime area management, support the development of the maritime economy, and strengthen the ability of various stakeholders to understand the dynamics of shipping and trade activities occurring in Indonesia. Telkomsat remains committed to delivering innovations that meet customer needs and support industrial development. The development of the AIS Data service is a strategic step for the company in expanding the use of satellite technology, not only as a means of connectivity but also as an enabler for data-based services that create added value across various sectors. With the increasing demand for fast, accurate, and reliable information, the AIS Data service is expected to become a key foundation in supporting the creation of a more efficient, integrated, and competitive maritime industry in the future.