ASIATODAY.ID, YEKATERINBURG — Indonesia is positioning itself as a strategic gateway for Russian shipbuilding investment into the ASEAN market as Jakarta and Moscow strengthen cooperation in ship construction, maritime technology, investment and joint production.
The strategic opportunity was discussed at the forum “Building an Indonesia–Russia Shipbuilding Partnership: Developing Maritime Industrial Cooperation for Indonesia, Russia and the ASEAN Market” held at the Indonesia Pavilion during INNOPROM 2026 in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
The forum brought together Indonesian shipbuilding associations, maritime component manufacturers and Russian shipbuilding companies to explore industrial partnerships that could strengthen Indonesia’s maritime manufacturing capabilities while opening new opportunities in Southeast Asia.
“Cooperation in the shipbuilding industry with Russia provides an opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen its maritime industrial capacity through investment, technology transfer, human resource development and production collaboration,” Indonesian Minister of Industry said during the forum on Wednesday, July 8.
He said the partnership is expected to improve the competitiveness of Indonesia’s national shipbuilding industry while expanding its reach to the ASEAN market.
Indonesia as ASEAN Maritime Manufacturing Gateway
With more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia has a strategic need for a strong shipbuilding industry to support logistics connectivity, inter-island transportation, fisheries, offshore energy activities and economic development across the archipelago.
Indonesia’s geographic position at the center of Southeast Asia also provides an opportunity to serve as a regional production base for maritime industries targeting the ASEAN market.
Through cooperation with Russia, Indonesia aims to accelerate industrial upgrading by gaining access to advanced shipbuilding technology, strengthening domestic capabilities and developing skilled maritime workers.
Meanwhile, Russia has extensive experience in ship design, vessel construction, propulsion systems and marine engineering. These capabilities are considered complementary to Indonesia’s expanding maritime industrial ecosystem.
Expanding Russia–Indonesia Maritime Cooperation
The forum represented a follow-up to the signing of the Indonesia–Russia shipbuilding cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in December 2025, which established a framework for collaboration in shipbuilding, maritime technology, engineering, human resource development and investment.
During the discussion, both countries explored potential cooperation in the development of passenger vessels, ferries, logistics ships, fishing vessels, patrol ships, offshore support vessels and ship component industries.
The collaboration also includes opportunities for technology transfer, industrial training and joint production that could strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesia’s maritime sector.
Director General of Industrial Resilience, Regionalization and International Industrial Access (KPAII) at Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry, Tri Supondy, said Indonesia and Russia have complementary strengths that can create greater industrial value.
“Indonesia offers a large market and a growing industrial capacity, while Russia has technological advantages and extensive experience in developing various types of vessels,” Tri said.
He expressed hope that the forum would generate concrete cooperation between industries, including investment partnerships, technology transfer, workforce development and joint manufacturing.
Unlocking ASEAN Maritime Market Opportunities
Indonesia views shipbuilding cooperation with Russia as part of its broader strategy to strengthen industrial competitiveness and develop a more integrated maritime supply chain in Southeast Asia.
The opportunity is expected to expand following the signing of the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (I-EAEU FTA), which is aimed at improving trade, investment cooperation and technology exchange between Indonesia and Eurasian Economic Union member states.
As ASEAN continues to experience growing demand for maritime infrastructure, logistics vessels, fishing fleets and offshore support facilities, Indonesia sees an opportunity to become a regional manufacturing and distribution center for maritime products.
The Indonesia–Russia shipbuilding partnership is expected to create long-term industrial cooperation that not only supports Indonesia’s domestic maritime needs but also strengthens its role as a maritime hub connecting Russia and the wider ASEAN market. (AT Network)
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