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Bilateral cooperation in maritime sector offers good future
If there is any sector where Indonesia and the Netherlands
find common ground, then it's undoubtedly the maritime sector.
The future for cooperation looks bright indeed. Let's take a look
at the facts and understand why:
As a nation of more than 220 million people with 17,508
islands, a surface of 5,193,025 square kilometers, a vast
coastline of 54,716 km and a potential yield of 6.3 million
metric tons of fish, Indonesia's future lies at sea.
Like other countries with an economic zone of this magnitude,
in protecting its legitimate interests Indonesia faces many
challenges: illegal fishery, illegal logging, smuggling, piracy,
(drug) trafficking and environmental crimes like oil-spills.
Law enforcement becomes more and more urgent. The coastal
guard and the Indonesian Navy are obviously instrumental in
addressing these problems. High-tech ships like fast patrol
boats, and investments in the shipbuilding industry seem to be
paramount.
The Dutch maritime sector is widely recognized as a provider
of excellent innovative products and services in an ever-changing
shipping industry. There has been a long-standing cooperation
between the Indonesian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy, both
sharing the same operational and logistical procedures. A number
of Indonesian Navy vessels were built in the Netherlands.
Furthermore, Indonesia has new plans for vessels to be built in
the Netherlands with associated possibilities for transfer of
technology to Indonesia.
The foundation for Dutch shipbuilding was laid in the 17th
century. The knowledge and expertise acquired by the Netherlands
ultimately became export products and left an indelible mark all
over the world. Many languages include shipping terms borrowed
from the Dutch. The globalization of the maritime industry in the
past decades had a considerable impact on the Dutch maritime
industry. It caused the need for innovation and the development
of highly skilled people in order to provide the best value for
money.
Newly built vessels became more and more the result of
worldwide cooperation and local production. The Dutch
shipbuilding and ship-repair industry boosted its position in the
world market since 2000. It increased its share of the number of
new sea-going vessels built. Transfer of technology became part
and parcel of Dutch shipbuilding, as we can also witness today in
Indonesia.
At this very moment, one Dutch shipyard is working together
with PT Dumas in Surabaya in building state of the art vessels
for the coastal guard (MOC) with Indonesian skills and the help
of Dutch technology. Thus, contributing to the development of the
Indonesian shipbuilding. This is an unique example of very
successful cooperation also involving the Indonesian and
Netherlands Governments. Both countries are confident that more
of such high profile projects are to come. And there is hardly
any limitation on what can be produced; be it sea-going vessels,
navy ships, smaller vessels, fishing vessels, yacht-building or
dredging equipment.
Dutch-designed ships are in a technological sense the most
complex and sophisticated vessels in the world, yet no more
expensive then others and more cost-effective to operate. The
Dutch industry stands out by coming up with clever designs and
providing training and an excellent level of after-sales service.
Another important area of possible cooperation is the shared
responsibility for marine life, good sea lanes and safety for
shipping.
The Netherlands North Sea Directorate is often consulted by
other governments for services ranging from simple advise to the
design and installation of complete aid navigation systems, like
buoys marking fairways.
Furthermore, the Netherlands has a complete network of
maritime expertise centers. The Maritime research institute
(MARIN), and TNO Delft are considered the best research
institutes in the world in this field. The Netherlands offers an
extensive range of maritime training programs, from occupational
courses to technical training at university level.
Presently, Indonesia is seriously addressing the maritime
challenges ahead. There seems to be growing awareness among the
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of
Communications and (not to forget) the Indonesian Navy that it is
necessary to team up in order to protect the economic zone and
sea lanes of communication. (i.e. the Strait of Malacca).
Investments in the maritime sector easily pay for themselves.
The Netherlands is committed to assisting in the development of
the Indonesian shipbuilding industry. We present and support
Dutch shipbuilding companies, offer training facilities and
technology transfer, and in specific cases, attractive financial
scheme's involving Dutch government money.
What matters is an investment in a sustainable and
long-lasting relationship in which mutual respect counts and both
our countries benefit.