IKA ITS Stresses Technology Transfer in 4,582-Vessel Programme
JAKARTA – The planned modernisation of 4,582 fishing vessels between 2026 and 2029 should be accompanied by technology transfer and greater local content to support Indonesia’s shipbuilding industry. The construction of thousands of vessels is expected not only to expand the fishing fleet, but also to improve the capabilities of the domestic shipbuilding sector.
Boy Rubyanto, deputy chairman for organisation and cadre development at the central board of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology Alumni Association (PP IKA ITS), said the programme’s success should not be measured solely by the number of vessels built. Collaboration among the government, industry, universities and businesses is needed to develop national industrial capacity sustainably.
“The success of a programme to build thousands of national fishing vessels is determined not only by investment and technology, but by genuine synergy between the government, industry, universities and businesses to build sustainable national capacity,” Boy said in a press statement on Thursday (22 October 2026). He made the remarks at the National Forum on Strengthening Indonesia’s Shipbuilding and Defence Industry Ecosystem in Jakarta on Wednesday (21 October 2026).
Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Didit Herdiawan said the government was targeting the modernisation of 4,582 vessels through the 2026–2029 Grand Strategy for Fishing Vessel Modernisation. The programme is one of the government’s efforts to develop the national marine and fisheries sector.
“Through the 2026–2029 Grand Strategy for Fishing Vessel Modernisation, the Indonesian Government is targeting the modernisation of 4,582 modern fishing vessels,” Didit said.
Of the total, 1,582 vessels are planned to be built through an Indonesia–UK partnership involving Babcock International. The remaining 3,000 will be built by state-owned PT Agrinas Jaladri Nusantara (Persero).
Didit said the marine and fisheries sector played a role in supporting food security and economic growth. Its development is also expected to create jobs and improve the welfare of coastal communities.
Air Vice-Marshal Dedy Laksmono, Director of Defence Technology and Potential at the Ministry of Defence’s Directorate General of Defence Potential, said fishing vessel construction should deliver benefits for the development of national industry. Priorities include increasing the use of domestic components and building expertise in shipbuilding technology.
“Strengthening the shipbuilding industry through the development of the defence industry, increased local content, technology transfer and collaboration among stakeholders is a strategic step towards national maritime self-reliance and enhancing the competitiveness of Indonesia’s shipyards,” Dedy said.
The forum organised by PP IKA ITS also discussed the development of digital technology alongside the physical construction of vessels. Technology was seen as capable of supporting fleet management, logistics systems and the fisheries industry’s supply chain.
One concept introduced was AQUILA (Agrinas Intelligence & Logistic Architecture). The system is designed to integrate artificial intelligence, data analysis, blockchain technology for product traceability, and logistics and fleet management.
The integration is expected to help improve supply-chain efficiency and transparency for fisheries products. The system is also intended to support Indonesian fisheries products’ access to international markets.
The forum, themed “Technology Transfer Strategies and Accelerating the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries’ Fishing Vessel Construction Programme for 2026”, also featured ITS Rector Bambang Pramujati and a representative of Babcock International. Stakeholders from government ministries, the shipbuilding industry and universities also took part.