Business · Companies · 11 hrs ago
Indonesian Shipyards Shift from Mining Vessels to Fuel Tankers
Demand for mining ships in Indonesia has fallen by 60%, according to the Indonesian Shipbuilding and Offshore Industries Association.
The drop has lasted from last year into this year, leading shipyards to adjust what they build.
Shipyards are shifting toward fuel transport vessels, including tankers, mini-tankers and self-propelled oil barges, instead of focusing on barges and tugboats for mining.
The change gives shipbuilders a different source of work as mining-sector demand weakens.
Iperindo members can build about 1,200 new ships a year and also repair and maintain vessels.
The Industry Ministry is preparing a 2026–2030 roadmap that targets shipbuilding capacity of up to 30,000 deadweight tonnes outside Java and Batam, and 60,000 deadweight tonnes for tankers.
The plan aims to strengthen domestic shipbuilding and help meet the country’s need for fuel-carrying vessels.
Demand for mining vessels in Indonesia has fallen by as much as 60%, prompting shipyards to shift production toward fuel transport.
Iperindo chair Anita Puji Utami said shipyards are now building more tankers, mini tankers and self-propelled oil barges.
The shift follows a period when barges and tugboats for mining dominated production.
Iperindo members have capacity to build about 1,200 new ships a year.
Indonesia’s Industry Ministry is preparing a 2026-2030 shipbuilding roadmap with targets for shipyard capacity.
- Who
- Indonesia’s shipbuilding industry, represented by Iperindo chair Anita Puji Utami.
- What
- Shipyards are shifting from mining vessels toward fuel transport vessels as mining-related demand falls.
- When
- The mining-vessel demand decline has occurred from last year through this year. Anita discussed it on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Indonesia. Anita spoke at the Industry Ministry office in Jakarta.
- Why
- Demand for mining vessels has fallen by as much as 60%, while demand for vessels transporting fuel is increasing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Demand for vessels serving the mining sector fell by as much as 60%.
Shipyard production was dominated by barges and tugboats for mining.
Anita Puji Utami described the shift toward vessels that transport fuel.
The Industry Ministry is preparing a shipbuilding roadmap with capacity targets for shipyards.
- Mining vessel demand
- Fell by as much as 60%
- Iperindo member capacity
- About 1,200 new ships per year
- Shipyard roadmap period
- 2026-2030
- Shipyards outside Java and Batam target
- Ships up to 30,000 DWT
- Tanker construction target
- 60,000 DWT
What people are saying
For mining, it has fallen by as much as 60% at present. From last year to this year, mining has fallen by as much as 60%. Now it is shifting to logistics transport, fuel, petroleum.
Last year, the types were barges and tugboats. But now, because of fuel needs, more are tankers, mini tankers and SPOBs (Self-Propelled Oil Barges). Now there are more of those. So we are adjusting to market conditions.