Indonesia’s Bakamla To Acquire Two New Vessels

JAKARTA, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) plans to acquire two vessels this year, funded domestically, as part of its efforts to enhance maritime security and monitoring capabilities in the country’s waters.

Bakamla Chief Admiral Irvansyah said one of the vessels will measure 80 metres in length and the other, 60 metres. Both will be constructed by Indonesia's largest maritime manufacturing company, PT PAL Indonesia, in Batam.

Speaking at the agency’s 19th anniversary ceremony here on Tuesday, Irvansyah was quoted by Kompas as saying that the acquisition is part of Bakamla’s strategic plan for the first phase of its development from 2025 to 2029

Meanwhile, he said the construction of a vessel, funded by a grant from the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is currently underway.

Built by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co Ltd, the 85.6-metre vessel will have a speed of 22 knots and is expected to be completed by 2027.

Additionally, Irvansyah said the United States had pledged to provide a smaller vessel, about 38 to 40 metres in length, suitable for coastal operations.

He outlined plans to equip all Bakamla vessels with onboard laboratories by 2026, enabling marine research and direct inspections at sea.

These laboratories will allow faster tests for narcotics, minerals and other substances, reducing the need to bring vessels back to shore for inspections.

“We aim to complete tests within one to two hours at sea, instead of the two to three days it takes on land,” he said, adding that this initiative will improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

-- BERNAMA