Strengthening Energy Distribution, Pertamina Produces Outstanding Seafarer Generation

PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, together with Pertamina Foundation, inaugurated 13 recipients of the 2026 Prospective Seafarer Scholarship Programme at a ceremony held at the Yudhistira Ballroom, Patra Jasa Office Tower, Jakarta, on Thursday (23/7). The programme represents Pertamina Patra Niaga’s commitment to producing a generation of professional, high-integrity Indonesian seafarers ready to support the sustainability of national energy distribution, whilst opening access to education and career opportunities for the nation’s best sons and daughters. As Pertamina’s Downstream Subholding, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga plays a strategic role in ensuring energy distribution across Indonesia. In an archipelagic nation like Indonesia, the distribution of fuel, LPG, crude oil, and other energy products relies heavily on sea transportation. Therefore, the presence of competent seafarers is a critical factor in maintaining operational smoothness, shipping safety, and the security of the national energy supply. The Prospective Seafarer Scholarship Programme is one of the company’s efforts to prepare a regeneration of seafarers capable of meeting the future needs of the maritime and energy industries. For the 2026 intake, the programme collaborated with seven maritime higher education institutions across Indonesia and received high enthusiasm from participants. Out of 403 applicants, 100 participants underwent administrative selection and written tests, 40 advanced to the interview stage, and finally 13 of the best scholarship recipients were selected. Upon completing their education, the recipients will be prepared to join PT Pertamina Patra Niaga as seafarers. Arif Yunianto, Director of Fleet Logistics at PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, stated that as a maritime nation, Indonesia requires seafarers who possess not only technical competence but also integrity and a spirit of dedication to support national energy distribution. ‘Indonesia is the world’s largest maritime country with more than 17,000 islands, a coastline stretching over 100,000 kilometres, and a sea area of approximately 3.3 million square kilometres. These conditions make seafarers play a highly strategic role in maintaining connectivity and the smooth distribution of national energy,’ Arif said in a press release on Saturday (25/7/2026). Arif added that PT Pertamina Patra Niaga is currently supported by around 2,500 seafarers who serve as the front line in distributing energy to various regions of Indonesia. He noted that the Prospective Seafarer Scholarship Programme is a long-term investment by the company in preparing competent maritime human resources to meet future operational needs. ‘The 13 scholarship recipients inaugurated today are the future generation of Pertamina Patra Niaga seafarers. We hope they will grow into professional, high-integrity seafarers with a spirit of dedication to ensure energy is present for communities throughout Indonesia,’ he added. President Director of Pertamina Foundation, Agus Mashud S. Asngari, said the scholarship programme is an investment in building a young generation of Indonesians ready to serve the nation. ‘There are 13 great young people with the DNA of the sea and the DNA of Indonesia, with the spirit to serve the nation’s energy needs. Thank you to all partner universities who have supported the implementation of this programme. We hope the scholarship recipients will grow into professional, high-integrity seafarers and provide benefits to society and Indonesia,’ Agus said. Through this collaboration, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga and Pertamina Foundation continue to strengthen their commitment to building superior Indonesian maritime human resources. The Prospective Seafarer Scholarship Programme is expected not only to serve as a means of professional seafarer regeneration for the company but also to make a tangible contribution to expanding educational access, creating job opportunities for the younger generation, and supporting the sustainability of reliable energy distribution for communities throughout Indonesia.