Indonesia Modernizes Fishing Fleet to Boost Productivity

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is accelerating the modernization of the national fishing fleet. Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said that fleet modernization is one of the ministry’s six priority programs for 2027.

“The ministry has received a presidential directive to achieve development goals and food sovereignty through six national priority programs,” Minister Trenggono said in a press statement in Jakarta on Thursday, September 18, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The 2027 target is part of a plan to modernize 4,582 vessels by 2029. This program addresses issues such as an aging fleet, technological limitations, high operating costs, and inconsistent catch quality.

The government has allocated approximately IDR 125.5 trillion (USD 7.07 billion) for the construction of modern fishing vessels ranging in size from 10 to 2,500 gross tons (GT). The fleet includes vessels equipped with purse seine, gillnet, handline, longline, pole-and-line, trawl, liftnet, and trap fishing gear.

The investment also covers transport, processing, and operational support vessels. The modernization aims to improve efficiency while strengthening the competitiveness of the national fisheries industry.

In addition to the fleet, the Ministry is targeting the development of “Merah Putih” Fishing Villages in 1,000 locations and the revitalization of approximately 5,500 hectares of shrimp farms along the North Coast of Java by 2027.

The government is also preparing to model and replicate integrated shrimp farms covering approximately 2,000 hectares.

Other programs include thematic inland fish farming at 10,000 locations and the development of national salt production facilities covering approximately 2,000 hectares. The entire agenda is supported by the ministry’s 2027 budget allocation of IDR 16.65 trillion.

A total of IDR 13.73 trillion, or 82.45 percent of the budget allocation, is earmarked for national priority programs, the implementation of the blue economy, and the ministry’s duties, functions, and public services.

Vessel modernization serves as a government tool to reduce operational costs and boost fishermen’s productivity. With a capacity of up to 2,500 GT, the program also aims to expand the national fleet’s capacity while supporting the food sovereignty agenda. ***