Govt to Give "Special" Fuel Price for Fishing Vessels up to 200 GT Amid Fuel Crisis

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has introduced a special fuel price for fishermen operating vessels ranging from 30 to 200 gross tons (GT). This complements fuel price for fishermen operating vessels under 30 (GT), which is provided at a subsidized price of Rp6,800 (US¢38) per liter.

According to the country's Presidential Secretariat, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, announced that the government has set the fuel price at Rp15,000 (US¢38) per liter for these vessels. This is lower than the current non-subsidized fuel price for fishing vessels, which stands at 18,600 rupiah, or 1.03 US dollars, per liter.

"Because commercial fishing operators need a special pricing scheme, it was agreed today that the price will be set at Rp15,000 per liter," he said in Bogor Regency, West Java, on Monday, July 13, 2026.

The Minister said that instead of the state budget, the price gap was funded by Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), a public service agency under the Ministry of Finance tasked with collecting, managing, and distributing plantation funds. He also stated that 400,000 tons of fuel at the special price will be made available.

"Under this policy, a quota of 400,000 tons will also be provided for the next six months," he added.

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, said the policy is part of the government's effort to provide greater certainty for businesses in the fisheries sector. According to him, the special fuel price is expected to help reduce operating costs for fishermen who operate vessels of 30 GT and above.

"In connection with this, we will immediately issue a ministerial decree from the (Ministry of) Energy and Mineral Resources for follow-up implementation," he said.

The decision comes amid an oil crisis in the Middle East triggered by tensions between the United States and Iran, which have disrupted global energy supply chains. Last June, Pertamina raised the prices of non-subsidized fuel by more than 30 percent; the prices of subsidized fuel remained unchanged.