Minister of Forestry and Environment Balas Purbaya: Dear Minister of Finance, so that you understand that the ship's funds come from the UK government.

Archive - Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono/ANTARA FOTO/Fikri Yusuf/YU (ANTARA FOTO/FIKRI YUSUF)

JAKARTA - Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasized that the funds for the construction of domestic ships came from foreign loans, specifically from the Government of Great Britain (UK).

This statement was made through his personal Instagram account, responding to comments from Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa regarding the funding source for the project.

"Dear Minister of Finance, so that you understand and are smart, that the funds for the construction of the ship are sourced from foreign loans from the UK government," wrote Trenggono, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 10.

Trenggono's post refers to a statement by Finance Minister Purbaya in a discussion held by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in Jakarta.

Purbaya emphasized the importance of strengthening the national shipping industry. He also highlighted that Indonesia has qualified human resources, but the shipyard industry has not developed optimally due to a lack of opportunities and policies that are less in favor of domestic production.

According to him, one of the main causes is the policy of importing used ships which undermines the demand for locally made ships.

He also highlighted the low utilization of government spending to support domestic shipyards, including in the ship rejuvenation program.

"In the future, if we want our industry to progress, domestic demand must be secured. The president said there were 2,491 ships over 25 years old, which would definitely be replaced," he said as quoted from a press release from the Ministry of Finance.

Purbaya added that the budget for the procurement of ships had actually been prepared, but had not had a significant impact on the domestic industry.

"We have the ability, but it is underutilized because we are not given the opportunity. I want to encourage economic growth, the money has been budgeted," he said.

The big plan to build ships in Indonesia has previously received full support from the UK.

During a state visit to London on January 20, 2026, President Prabowo Subianto conveyed that the UK supported the development program of 1,500 fishing boats through maritime cooperation between the two countries.

The support was confirmed directly by the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, in a bilateral meeting at 10 Downing Street.

"They will support our plan to build 1,500 fishing boats, because we want to massively invest in it," said the President.

The visit resulted in an investment agreement in the maritime sector with the UK worth 4 billion pounds or around Rp91.6 trillion.

Indonesia and the United Kingdom have agreed to the construction of 1,582 ships that will be produced domestically, which is estimated to be able to absorb up to 600 thousand people.