Indonesian Navy Receives 2 Tugboats Made In The Domestic Ship Industry

The handover ceremony for two new tugboats made by the domestic shipyard industry in Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, Monday, August 22, 2023. ANTARA/Genta Tenri Mawangi.

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Navy (AL) received two tugboats made by the domestic shipyard industry named TD Umsini and TD Irau. The ship's handover activity took place at the Noahtu Shipyard Association, Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, Monday 21 August.

The two shallow sea tugboats bearing the TD code were received directly by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (Wakasal) Vice Admiral (Laksdya) Ahmadi Heri Purwono, who was accompanied by the Commander of the Indonesian Military Command, Vice Admiral TNI Herru Kusmanto, officials from the Indonesian Navy Headquarters, and the Commander of the Navy's Commander of Koarmada III Rear Admiral TNI Rachmad Jayadi.

"We inaugurate the two ships that we will operate in Fleet III. These ships use the names of mountains in Papua, TD Umsini and TD Irau," said Purwono after the inauguration ceremony at the Noahtu Shipyard Shipyard, Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, August 21, which was confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the purchase of the two tugboats was in line with the Navy's task of managing the Integrated Fleet Weapon System (SSAT), which consisted of warships (KRI), airplanes, marine troops, and bases. The tugboat, one of whose main tasks is to help docked ships, became a crucial tool because it ensured that shipping traffic and the ship's docking process at the base went smoothly.

"Among the needs of these bases are tools or machines to help dock ships, because our ships are getting bigger, so if in wind-prone areas, and so on, and to accelerate it, a tugboat or harbour tug is needed, a tool to help dock," said the Deputy Chief of Staff.

After the handover, TD Umsini and TD Irau were placed at the XIV Navy Main Base (Lantamal) in Sorong, West Papua. Lantamal XIV is under the auspices of the Indonesian Navy Fleet III Command.

Laksdya Ahmadi explained that the construction of the ship began in November 2022 and was completed in August 2023. Within 9 months, two domestic industrial-made tugboats Noahtu Shipyard were successfully completed according to the purchase contract signed by the company and the Indonesian Navy.

On the same occasion, he reminded the two tugboats, as well as Pangkoarmada III, to take good care of TD Umsini and TD Irau so that the ship can be used optimally. The reason is, the cost of making the ship, which comes from the state budget, is not cheap. The construction of the two ships cost Rp. 167 billion.

"This uses people's money, of course, at a fairly high price. I ordered the comedian, including the Commander of the Indonesian Military Command III to take care of these (two ships) as well as possible to benefit the Indonesian Navy and also to help the local community," said Wakasal.