Indonesia Strengthens Maritime Surveillance with Spanish Loan

Comprehensive MFISS Project to Combat Illegal Fishing

The Indonesian government has secured a significant IDR 5.8 trillion loan from Spain to enhance the country's maritime surveillance capabilities through the Maritime and Fisheries Integrated Surveillance System (MFISS) project ²

. This comprehensive initiative is a crucial step in combating illegal fishing and strengthening maritime security in Indonesian waters.

Key Components of MFISS Project

1. Construction of 10 Surveillance Vessels: Four 70-meter vessels will be built in Spain, while six will be constructed domestically ²
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   https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-8196002/kkp-tangkap-1-149-kapal-pencuri-ikan-potensi-kerugian-tembus-rp-16-t
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2. Implementation of Advanced Monitoring Systems: Including Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for real-time tracking of fishing vessels ¹
   Source 1

   https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-8195523/ri-utang-rp-5-8-t-ke-spanyol-buat-bangun-kapal-hingga-drone-pengawas-laut
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3. Procurement of Aerial Surveillance Drones: To enhance monitoring capabilities in Indonesian waters ²
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   https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-8196002/kkp-tangkap-1-149-kapal-pencuri-ikan-potensi-kerugian-tembus-rp-16-t
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4. Integration of Command and Control Systems: To improve coordination between central and regional authorities ²
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   https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-8196002/kkp-tangkap-1-149-kapal-pencuri-ikan-potensi-kerugian-tembus-rp-16-t
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Addressing Illegal Fishing and Its Impacts

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) has reported that between 2020 and 2025, 1,149 illegal fishing vessels were apprehended, with potential losses amounting to IDR 16 trillion ¹

. Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasized that illegal fishing remains a persistent issue, particularly in border areas such as the Malacca Strait and Natuna Sea ¹

Source 1

https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-8195523/ri-utang-rp-5-8-t-ke-spanyol-buat-bangun-kapal-hingga-drone-pengawas-laut

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Current Challenges and Future Plans

The MMAF currently operates with only 34 surveillance vessels, with an average age of 15 years, while the ideal number is considered to be 70 vessels ¹

. To address this gap, the IDR 2 trillion allocation from the Spanish loan for the 2025 fiscal year will be used to construct additional surveillance assets ²

Source 2

https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-8196002/kkp-tangkap-1-149-kapal-pencuri-ikan-potensi-kerugian-tembus-rp-16-t

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The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, with implementation beginning in late 2025 ²

. This strategic investment in maritime surveillance demonstrates Indonesia's commitment to protecting its marine resources and enhancing its maritime security capabilities.