Jakarta. Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), the marine logistics arm of the state oil company, distributed 750 life vests to fishermen in Manado on Wednesday, an initiative that led to the company earning a certificate of appreciation.

The life vest rollout was part of the Transportation Ministry's maritime safety campaign.

Life jackets are in high demand in coastal communities such as those in Manado.

"Through these life jackets, PIS also wants to send a message to the public about the importance of safety in shipping. As with shipping operations and other related matters, safety is paramount for PIS and the shipping industry in general," PIS Fleet Director Muhammad Irfan Zainul Fikri said.

"We hope that the distribution of these 750 life jackets will serve as a reminder to the local community to be more concerned about the safety aspects of shipping," Irfan said.

The Transportation Ministry also awarded PIS a certificate of appreciation for its shipping safety campaign. These life jackets are considered crucial in anticipating increased maritime travel, particularly during the year-end holidays. This maritime safety education program also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal on Quality Education.

To date, PIS directly manages 2,500 crew members on its own vessels, which are used for in-house ship management.

PIS provides measurable support to enhance seafarers' safety and performance. As a result, PIS has recorded zero crew fatalities and 40.5 million safe working hours. The company attributed this achievement to its ongoing transformation and business expansion without compromising the welfare of seafarers.

To date, PIS has a fleet of 111 owned vessels. In 2025, it underwent a TMSA (Tanker Management and Self-Assessment) assessment, achieving a score of 3.05 on a scale of 4. This also puts PIS on par with international oil and gas shipping companies.