5 June 2023 – The Indonesian Delegation for the Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management (DJ PRL) of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) visited the Korea Maritime & Ocean University (KMOU) in Busan, South Korea.

This opportunity was utilized to discuss the implementation of Korea-Indonesia Offshore Research Cooperation Center (KIORCC)’s scope of work, along with future potential areas of collaboration. The visit signified the newly-signed Implementing Arrangement for the establishment of KIORCC under DJ PRL, and aspires to expand KIORCC’s work even further in G2G and B2B with projects between the countries. 

The Indonesian delegation was represented by Mr. Victor Gustaaf Manoppo (Director General of Marine Spatial Management); Mr. Edy Putra Irawady (Special Staff to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Foreign Cooperation); Mr. Hendra Yusran Siry (Acting Adviser to the Minister on Economic, Social, and Cultural Affairs); Mr. Miftahul Huda (Director of Marine Services); and Mr. Hery Gunawan Daulay (Coordinator for Restoration).

The delegation was greeted and accompanied by various parties from the Korean side, including Mr. Deog Hee Doh (President of KMOU); Prof. Jin-Seok Oh (Chairman of the Korea Maritime & Ocean University Consortium/KMOUC); and researchers and personnel from KIORCC’s Korean office.

Various topics of discussion were brought into focus, namely on future offshore plant decommissioning projects, and also other objectives of DJ PRL such as land reclamation, the expansion of the MMAF marine heritage gallery, VR/XR equipment investments, artificial reef management, LNG cold chain collaborations, sustainable marine tourism, and salt production.

The DJ PRL delegation was also able to visit local companies, which include Korean Salvage (expertise in dredging/reclamation) and Isaac E&C (has experience in decommissioning and rigs-to-reefs). Additionally, smart fish farm facilities were also toured and studied in the Busan area, where the delegation was able to consult with the operators on operational plans and techniques.

The Korean and Indonesian governments, in marking fifty years of cooperation, hope to advance collaboration in new fields. KIORCC hopes to further bridge and realize these efforts in the maritime offshore plant service industry between the two countries in both the government and business levels of operation.