Jakarta. Pertamina International Shipping, the marine services subsidiary of the state-run oil and gas firm, recently partnered with the Foreign Ministry to protect its crew members abroad. 

PIS and the ministry signed a cooperation agreement on the protection and emergency handling of the crew members on Monday. Signing the document were PIS Chief Executive Officer Surya Tri Harto and the ministry’s director for citizen protection, Judha Nugraha. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Arief Havas Oegroseno was also present at the signing ceremony. 

According to PIS, the pact aims to bolster the coordination and responsiveness in protecting its crews overseas, especially amidst today’s geopolitical challenges.

"This is an effective step forward for us to ensure our sailors feel protected. It shows how the state is present,” Surya was quoted as saying in a press statement.

PIS currently has branch offices in Singapore, Dubai, and London. Surya added, “Amidst the dynamic geopolitical conditions, escalations can occur at any time. This requires us to take action.”

According to the release, PIS currently operates 106 owned vessels, a fleet size large enough to ensure smooth energy distribution on both domestic and international routes. The company currently has 65 international routes, supported by 6,000 officers. Some of whom are assigned overseas to support energy security. PIS also reported that its non-captive revenue had grown from 4 percent in 2021 to 19 percent in 2024.

“The agreement offers a new aspect, demonstrating how we [Indonesia] are not just focused on protection, but are also actively taking preventative measures. As part of the agreement, we can exchange data held by PIS and our own,  creating a unified data set that we can manage together to determine the next steps in addressing emergencies," Havas said.

"We have a responsibility to provide protection for Indonesian citizens abroad, both on land and at sea." 

PIS said that its efforts to protect its workers aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It contributes to SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being by making sure that the crew members abroad are safe and sound. It also contributes to SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth by creating a safe, productive, and globally competitive work environment.