Indonesia seeks Vikings’ greatness for maritime power

To meet the ambitious goal, the government plans to enhance inter-island connectivity by building 24 sea and deep-sea ports as well as by upgrading port infrastructure.
Denmark and Norway, according to the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, are ideal partners as they have maintained strong maritime traditions and histories, in terms of fisheries, shipping, offshore energy and maritime equipment and services.
“You are the Vikings. So, please show us the greatness of the Vikings. 
“[Tell us how to build] an integrated port for cargo and fisheries and all integrated transportations, including ports and airports,” she said in front of representatives of the 33 companies on Monday.
Different ministries in the country had built their own ports, including some under her ministry and others under the Transportation Ministry. As those ports were located separately, hundreds of kilometres apart, the government had suffered from high operating costs.
The 33 companies from Denmark and Norway were invited to talk with the government and companies in Jakarta about possible investment opportunities, either under business-to-business or business-to-government schemes.
Among those companies were Danish energy firm Danfoss, ship maker Odense Maritime Technology, Norwegian shipping company Wilh Wilhelmsen and technology systems and solutions enterprise Kongsberg Digital.
Denmark and Norway are among the top 10 global ship-owning nations and are eager to invest in Indonesia and transfer their expertise and knowledge.
“Denmark is a very small country, but in the maritime area, Denmark and Norway are global superpowers. 
“Every 15 minutes, somewhere around the world, a Danish operated ship leaves a port,” Danish Ambassador to Indonesia Casper Klynge said.
Although Denmark only accounts for 0.1 per cent of the global population, Danes have managed to create many ships transporting 10 per cent of the world’s goods.
Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia Stig Traavik said both Nordic countries could offer technological advice through their state-of-the-art ships that use energy more efficiently.
“We have produced ships, which run with natural gas instead of diesel. Basically, it’s like a mini power plant in the ship, and the computer system is running the engine. 
“So, it can reduce the consumption of gas by 20 per cent compared to modern ships that use diesel fuel,” he said.