Indonesia And The UK In Shipping And Shipbuilding Cooperation

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - Indonesia and the UK have agreed on the cooperation outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding shipping and sustainable shipbuilding.

The MoU was signed by the Director General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) Arif Toha Tjahjagama and the British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Owen Jenkis which was witnessed directly by the Indonesian Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi and British Export Minister Andrew Bowie in Jakarta, Thursday.

"This is the first step in the intention of the two countries to increase cooperation in the ferry and sea transportation sector. I encourage PT ASDP and PT Pelni to take the opportunity to explore the follow-up of this MoU," said the Minister of Transportation in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Friday, February 3.

A number of further steps from the MoU, namely the two parties will meet regularly to discuss and monitor the progress of the MoU implementation related to shipping cooperation and sustainable shipbuilding as well as take an intergovernmental approach for the design, construction, financing, and operation of new types of ships and shipping to serve remote and underdeveloped islands.

Furthermore, both parties agreed to facilitate efforts to develop a new type of Roro ship (RoPax) that is suitable for operation in Indonesia. The facilitation efforts carried out include the procurement of ships, transfer of technology, and provision of training and consultation.

"Hopefully this cooperation commitment can be implemented concretely in transportation development in Indonesia and further strengthen well-established relations between the two countries," said the Minister of Transportation.

Meanwhile, British Export Secretary Andrew Bowie welcomed the agreement in the shipping sector between the two countries.

"In addition to signing commercial shipping cooperation and sustainable shipbuilding. We are also continuing discussions on development cooperation in the railway sector," said Andrew.

He revealed that England is the host of maritime and rail experts. According to him, this has made many British companies interested in providing more support to infrastructure development plans in Indonesia.

"I look forward to the opportunity to support this collaboration further," he said.

A number of cooperation commitments in the transportation sector have been made between Indonesia and the UK, including future city program collaborations to accelerate the low-carbon transition in several regions in Indonesia.

Next, cooperation in the construction of the Jakarta MRT as well as cooperation in consulting by Crossrail and Mott Macdonald to support the operational readiness of the Jabodebek LRT.