The Riches Of The Natuna Sea: The Reasons Behind China's Lust And Many Disputes

Photo illustrations (Source: Special)

JAKARTA - A viral video shows the presence of a Chinese ship threat in Natuna waters. This situation raises the issue of the great wealth and economic potential in the Natuna Sea. What wealth is there in Natuna, which is said to provoke China's passion? Not only China. In Natuna, Indonesia often has disputes with other neighboring countries.

The viral video shows a number of local fishermen dealing with Chinese warships in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Natuna Sea. Chinese ships are said to be large in size to make many fishermen afraid to go to sea.

Previously, the Main Secretary (Sestama) of the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) Admiral TNI S. Irawan reported that thousands of ships had entered Natuna waters. However, this was straightened out by the Head of Public Relations and Protocol of Bakamla Colonel Wisnu Pramandita.

According to Vishnu, the number of thousands that Irawan meant was general. It does not mean that thousands of ships enter at the same time, let alone at the same time. However, Vishnu acknowledged the entry of foreign ships. Besides China, Vietnamese ships also dominate.

The ships entered through the South China Sea, which is Indonesian territory. According to Wisnu, the entry of the ships was influenced by the geographical factor of the North Natuna Sea which is directly adjacent to the South China Sea.

"There are indeed many foreign ships in the North Natuna Sea because this area is the entrance to and exit for ship traffic through the Sunda Strait and the Malacca Strait," said Wisnu in an official statement from Bakamla, quoted on Monday, September 18.

Meanwhile, Head of Bakamla Vice Admiral Aan Kurnia emphasized that the situation in the North Natuna Sea was under control. He also reassured fishermen "no need to worry and can continue their activities as usual."

Wealth in the Natuna Sea

Photo illustration of Natuna waters (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The presence of foreign ships in the Natuna Sea must be dealt with. Indonesia's sovereignty was not only tarnished because the foreign ships were able to move around as they pleased but also because the ships were proven to often steal fish.

If referring to regional provisions, fishing activities by foreign vessels in the Natuna Sea are a violation of the rules. The United Nations (UN) Law of the Sea Convention has designated the Natuna waters as the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The closest excitement occurred in 2020. At that time, thousands of foreign ships were observed entering Natuna waters every day. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs at that time threw a protest note at China as one of the countries with the most ships operating in the Natuna Sea.

At that time, China claimed that its activities did not violate the law because the South Natuna Sea was a legal part of the China Sea area. Yes, despite the UN Convention as described above.

According to data from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in 2020, there was a potential of 327,976 tons of pelagic fish there. There are also demersal fish (159,700 tons), squid (23,499 tons), crabs (9,711) tons, crabs (2,318 tons), and lobster 1,421 per year.

There is also the potential for grouper, anchovies, mackerel, yellow tail, white shrimp, to tuna. From a geographical point of view, the Natuna region is the most strategic point because it borders several disputed countries. Besides fish, another potential of the Natuna Sea is oil and gas content.

Based on records from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the East Natuna Block contains an Initial Gas in Place (IGIP) volume or on-site gas volume of up to 222 trillion cubic feet (tcf) and reserves of 46 tcf.

The block was developed by a consortium involving Pertamina with ExxonMobil and PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP). Another thing that makes the Natuna Sea very sexy is its location as the main trade route for a third of the world's shipping.

Government steps

Photo illustration (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Section of Bakamla Colonel Wisnu Pramandita explained that his party had submitted policy recommendations and strategies to deal with the latest situation to the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Kemenkopolhukam). The policy in question includes guarding the border in the South China Sea.

Bakamla explained that the recommendation also emphasized that it was not only officials whose presence was needed, but also economic actors, including fishermen and those engaged in oil and gas exploration activities.

Bakamla also encourages the realization of the Indonesian National Fishermen concept as a driver of the presence of economic actors as well as supporting monitoring in the North Natuna Sea area. Another step was taken by the Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto.

In the midst of a heated situation, Prabowo brought in two of the most advanced ship technologies from Britain: the Frigate Arrowhead 140. Gerindra Party Daily Chair Sufmi Dasco Ahmad explained that Indonesia would build hundreds of Frigate Arrowhead 140 ships.

Photo illustration of the Frigate Arrowhead 140 (Source: flot 2017)

The frigate is a type of high-speed light ship with excellent maneuverability. The Frigate has a 4 x 9100 kW main engine. Its power supply is capable of driving a maximum speed of up to 28 knots, with a maximum continuous rating (MCR) condition and resistance at 18 knots of 9,000 NM.

The ship is also equipped with a 4 x 1360 kW diesel generator and a 1 x 180 kW emergency diesel generator. For maneuvering features, this ship is equipped with a bow thruster of 925 kW. The Frigate Arrowhead 140 also has medium and long range vertical missile launchers.

As reviewed in the BERNAS article entitled What Can Be Expected from the Arrowhead Frigate, this is what makes the Frigate Arrowhead 140 reliable in sea and air defense. In addition there is also a long-range vertical-to-surface missile launcher.

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