Majority of ASDP Fleet Ageing, Requires Rp 23.49 Trillion for Renewal

State-owned ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) is confronting a major challenge in maintaining safe crossings, deeming fleet renewal an urgent necessity as vessel ages rise and maintenance costs soar. “We are facing a fairly serious challenge. Based on our data, 55% of ASDP Group’s ships are over 30 years old and 72% still have a capacity below 1,000 GT,” said President Director Heru Widodo during a working meeting with House of Representatives Commission VI on Wednesday (24/6/2026). The advancing age of the fleet directly correlates with increased operational expenses and heightened safety risks, compelling the company to no longer postpone a modernisation programme. “According to data from DNV Maritime Service, Strait and Clarkson, the older a ship gets, the higher its maintenance costs and the lower its level of security and safety,” he stated. ASDP has recorded that 116 vessels face a decline in safety aspects, while 79 ships use engines with spare parts that are no longer manufactured, complicating maintenance efforts. “Therefore, we view fleet renewal as something very urgent and important now. Not only for operational effectiveness, but also to maintain shipping safety and ensure public needs can be served with larger and safer ships,” he said. ASDP calculates that total investment needs until 2030 will reach Rp 23.49 trillion. The funds will be used for constructing new vessels, replacing old fleets and developing ports. “Until 2030, ASDP requires a total investment of Rp 23.49 trillion, covering the construction of 46 new ships and 55 projects across 35 ports. We are conveying these needs transparently so that the challenges for the next five years can be understood together,” Heru added.