Minister Trenggono Is Attracted To Danish-made Electric Boats: I Am Interested In Catching Fish

Illustration (Photo: Doc. KKP)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, is exploring the potential of using electric boat innovations for capture fisheries to support the blue economy principle.

This was revealed by Minister Trenggono when testing the Ellen ferry which serves the crossing route from Sonderborg to Aeroskobing, Denmark. It was stated that he saw the ship's battery recharging facility, accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Denmark and the Republic of Lithuania Dewi Savitri Wahab, on Thursday local time.

"This is an environmentally friendly innovation. According to the shipbuilder's statement, OMT (Odense Maritime Technology A/S), stated that this innovation is effective in reducing emissions," he said in a press statement quoted Friday, October 29.

According to Minister Trenggono, in discussions with the shipyard, it was stated that they are currently in the research stage using electric power to be applied to ships with longer distances and operational times, such as fishing vessels.

"I am interested in utilizing the potential of electric power applied to fishing vessels in Indonesia in accordance with the principles of a blue economy that is ecologically friendly and supports welfare. I will discuss with Bappenas how to make this happen," he said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Dewi Savitri Wahab added that the two countries have the same character, namely a maritime country with many islands that require sea connectivity.

"Denmark's experience in building electric-powered ships is expected to be a mutually beneficial cooperation for the two countries. In particular, the development of electric power for fishing vessels," he said.

To note, sea transportation is one of the largest consumers of fossil fuels. According to a recent report by market research firm IDTechEx, electric boats have the largest battery.

For battery scale, IDTechEx offers the average EV battery size, which in the United States is 67 kWh. Then there is the Ellen ferry in Denmark, which is powered by batteries with a total capacity of 4,300 kWh.

In Indonesia, many people predict that the opportunity for electric-powered ships is quite large because of the many crossing routes between islands and large water areas.