HNSI Central Java: Many Ships Tied Up Due to Rising Industrial Diesel Prices
Semarang (ANTARA) - The All-Indonesian Fishermen’s Union (HNSI) in Central Java states that many fishing vessels in Juwana, Pati Regency, are no longer setting sail due to the increase in industrial diesel prices.
“There are around 1,600 vessels over 30 GT in Juwana. Currently, many vessels have been tied up because they cannot afford to buy non-subsidised fuel at industrial economic prices,” said HNSI Central Java Chairman Riswanto in Semarang on Friday.
This was conveyed during an audience with Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi regarding fishermen’s aspirations who are struggling as a result of the rise in industrial diesel prices.
According to him, the fishermen forced to stop sailing are those with vessels over 30 GT (Gross Tonnage) who are not permitted to use subsidised diesel.
At the beginning of January 2024, the price of non-subsidised B40 biodiesel diesel in Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Madura was still Rp20,750 per litre, but now it has exceeded Rp28,000 to Rp30,000 per litre in various regions.
Based on data, the number of active fishing vessels in Central Java over 30 GT reaches 2,224 units, which fall under central government authority and use industrial diesel fuel.
In accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 191/2014 and the latest amendment through Presidential Regulation Number 117 of 2021, vessels up to 30 GT are still entitled to subsidised diesel, while those over 30 GT are required to use industrial diesel.
Therefore, they appreciate the Central Java Governor for facilitating the audience and being willing to escort the fishermen’s aspirations to the central government.
He hopes that the proposal for a special price for non-subsidised diesel fuel for fishermen with vessels over 30 GT will soon receive a response from the central government.
“We will wait for directions from the Governor going forward. The hope is that this issue can receive accompaniment until resolved so that fishing vessel operations can resume,” he said.
Meanwhile, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi will escort the fishermen’s aspirations regarding the increase in non-subsidised diesel fuel prices for fishing vessels over 30 GT to the central government.
“We have received the aspirations across Central Java. They represent friends with vessels over 30 GT, where those vessels use non-subsidised fuel,” he said.
He acknowledged that the current rise in industrial diesel prices to Rp25,000-30,000 per litre is very burdensome for fishermen’s operations.
“We accommodate all their aspirations, then we will prepare a letter, we will escort it to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, then to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, if necessary to the Ministry of Finance, so that non-subsidised users also receive relief to enable them to set sail,” he said.
According to him, the issue must be resolved quickly because it directly impacts the sustainability of fishermen’s businesses and the coastal community’s economy.
“If fishermen can no longer set sail, the implications are very broad: fish production is disrupted, fish prices could rise, inflation could be affected, and the economic ecosystem in port areas is also disrupted,” he said.