Friday, 28 August 2026
Indonesia is an archipelago with thousands of islands, so it is no surprise that the maritime sector plays an important role in the country’s economy. From shipping and fishing to shipbuilding and port infrastructure, there are plenty of opportunities for international cooperation.
Spain was one of the European countries interested in strengthening its maritime relationship with Indonesia. In 2015, Spain and Indonesia discussed ways to increase cooperation in maritime infrastructure and related trade. The discussions also opened opportunities for Spanish investment in Indonesia’s shipbuilding industry.
Spanish Ambassador to Indonesia Francisco Jose Viqueira Niel discussed several areas of cooperation with Indonesia’s Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Indroyono Susilo. One of the topics was the Mina Jaya fishing boat construction program, which had been carried out in the 1990s.
Spain already had experience working with Indonesia in shipbuilding. This previous relationship provided a useful foundation for developing further cooperation in the maritime sector.
One interesting part of the cooperation was the opportunity to learn from Spanish shipbuilding companies. An Indonesian team was sent to Spain to study the Rodman shipyard in Vigo. At the same time, Indonesia was preparing for the arrival of four patrol ships that would support the country’s maritime security efforts.
For Indonesia, cooperation with Spain was not only about buying ships. There was also an interest in attracting investment into domestic shipbuilding. Indonesia hoped Spanish investors would consider developing shipyard facilities in strategic locations, particularly Kuala Tanjung in North Sumatra and Sorong in West Papua.
This could be important because a stronger shipbuilding industry can support many other businesses. Shipyards need engineers, technicians, construction workers, suppliers, logistics companies, and various other services. In the long term, investment in this sector could help create jobs while improving Indonesia’s industrial capabilities.
Kuala Tanjung, in particular, was seen as one of the potential locations for maritime-related development. Its location in North Sumatra gives it access to important trade routes and makes it relevant to regional logistics.
Spain’s interest also fits naturally with Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen its maritime sector. As a country surrounded by water, Indonesia needs strong infrastructure to support transportation, trade, fishing, security, and economic activity across its islands.
The cooperation could also benefit Spain. Working with Indonesia gives Spanish companies an opportunity to enter a large and strategically important Southeast Asian market. Spanish experience in shipbuilding and maritime technology could be combined with Indonesia’s growing need for maritime infrastructure.
The story is a good example of how international investment can work through cooperation rather than simply putting money into a project. Technology transfer, knowledge sharing, industrial partnerships, and training can all become part of the process.
Although the discussion took place in 2015, Spain’s interest in Indonesia’s maritime sector shows the long-term potential of cooperation between the two countries. With its huge maritime territory and growing infrastructure needs, Indonesia remains an attractive market for companies with experience in shipbuilding and maritime industries.
For Spain, Indonesia offers a gateway to Southeast Asia. For Indonesia, Spanish expertise could help strengthen its domestic maritime capabilities. Together, both sides had an opportunity to turn maritime cooperation into practical business and investment opportunities.
ID 
EN 
CN 
AR 
IT 
ES 
JP 
KR