BRIN promotes public-private partnerships to create international-standard research vessels
Jakarta (ANTARA) — The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), through its Public-Private Partnership (KPBU) Project for the Management and Development of the National Research Vessel Fleet, is promoting government-business partnerships to develop international-standard research vessels.
In a statement issued in Jakarta on Friday, BRIN Head Arif Satria affirmed that modernising the research vessel fleet is a strategic necessity to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a science-based maritime nation, with the aim of enhancing national research capacity, competence and synergy.
“The KPBU Project for the Management and Development of the National Research Vessel Fleet is not merely an ordinary shipbuilding project, but part of an effort to enhance sovereignty in the field of science and research so that Indonesia as a maritime nation can be realised economically,” said Arif.
Arif added that modern research vessels play a vital role in exploring underwater economic potential, marine biota research, and the development of environmental services and marine energy.
According to him, the strength of research data is a decisive factor in international negotiations, particularly regarding fisheries resource management.
“One of the key determinants in the world today is the power of data. And the power of data is the power of research,” he said.
Arif highlighted the need to increase research sailing day capacity. Currently, Indonesia has approximately 2,500 research sailing days per year, whilst the ideal requirement is 8,000 days. This gap demonstrates the urgency of expanding the fleet whilst simultaneously strengthening the operational systems for marine research.
He also noted that the research vessel project could strengthen marine research infrastructure through the construction of oceanic and coastal research vessels as well as an integrated fleet management unit system, create inclusive research access through an open call for proposal mechanism aligned with national priorities, and promote technological self-reliance and research financing through the KPBU scheme with private sector involvement.
“We want this project to be not only feasible on paper, but also viable and commercially attractive whilst delivering maximum added value for the state and research activities,” said Arif Satria.
The research vessel construction project is designed as an advanced-technology multipurpose research vessel equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) and portable equipment to support BRIN’s four priority research themes in accordance with international standards.
The KPBU scheme employed is Design Build Finance Operate Maintain Transfer (DBFOMT) with a 20-year concession period including the construction phase. The target for contract signing is planned for the first quarter of 2027 through to financial close.