30-31 July 2025 – The Korea-Indonesia Research Cooperation Center (KIORCC) along with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the Gyeongnam Marine Equipment Association (GMEA), KMOU Rise, Koshipa, and Busan Marine Equipment Association successfully hosted the 2025 Korea–ASEAN Maritime Week in Bali, Indonesia. The event brought together stakeholders from government, academia, and industry to strengthen maritime cooperation, particularly in green shipbuilding, smart technology, and human capital development between Korea and Indonesia.
The Indonesian Ministry of Industry opened the first day by underlining the importance of maritime development as a national priority. With over 37,000 vessels registered, many of which have been in service for more than two decades, the ministry stressed the urgent need to modernize the sector through international cooperation. Korea’s potential expansion of Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiatives were welcomed as being strategically aligned with Indonesia’s green shipbuilding roadmap over the next five years.
The GMEA introduced a comprehensive cooperation proposal under the ODA framework. Key components of the project included the retrofitting of pilot vessels, application of hybrid electric and biofuel systems, hydro wing integration, and the establishment of a Korea–Indonesia Maritime Cooperation Centre for technical training and joint development. In support of the project’s implementation, Korean stakeholders requested Indonesian commitments related to vessel testbeds, shipyard partnerships, land allocation, and administrative facilitation. Relating to the development of these initiatives, the National Korea Maritime & Ocean University Business Research Education Support Center (BRES Center), GMEA, and IPERINDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand potential collaboration and support.
A consortium led by Changwon National University also presented ongoing progress in regulation consultation, shipyard process improvement, skilled workforce development, and the creation of a dedicated training laboratory. The presentation emphasized a long-term vision to build Indonesia’s naval architecture capabilities and enable a smart industrial complex in shipbuilding and marine equipment.
During the discussion, Dr. Oh Jin-seok, Director General of the National Korea Maritime & Ocean University Business Research Education Support Center BRES Center remarked, “Last year, through this program, we were able to conduct 425 export consultations and secure contracts worth 4 million dollars. We plan to continue supporting the entry of Korean companies with outstanding technological prowess in the Offshore plant service sector into the ASEAN market.”
Representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry responded positively, proposing a follow-up meeting within two months to further define areas of collaboration. They also invited key players such as PT PAL and BKI to join future discussions. BKI expressed enthusiasm for technical cooperation on shipyard digitalization, decarbonization initiatives, and green fuel development.
The evening networking session was marked by remarks from GMEA, KOTRA, and IPERINDO. KOTRA emphasized the compatibility of Korea’s shipbuilding ecosystem with Indonesia’s goals for industrial transformation, offering support through joint R&D, export financing, component localization, and skills development. IPERINDO reinforced the strategic importance of maritime industry in Indonesia’s national development plans, highlighting opportunities for co-production, vocational training, and green shipyard initiatives, especially with more than 1,600 aging vessels requiring replacement.
On the second day, an export consultation meeting brought together Korean companies and ASEAN buyers to explore opportunities in the offshore plant service sector. The consultations focused on parts imports, mutual technical cooperation, joint construction, and vendor registration. Additional online consultation sessions are scheduled for August, allowing ongoing engagement and deal-making beyond the in-person forum.
The 2025 Korea–ASEAN Maritime Week served as a crucial platform to initiate new frameworks of cooperation rooted in mutual needs and complementary strengths. Through KIORCC and the BRES Center, Korea reaffirms its commitment to supporting Indonesia’s maritime transformation and contributing to the broader goals of sustainable and inclusive growth across the Indo-Pacific.
