In a strategic move to decarbonize the maritime transport sector, Indonesia’s state electricity company PT PLN (Persero) has signed a joint study agreement with the Ministry of Transportation, PT HDF Energy Indonesia, and PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero). The agreement, announced during the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit in Jakarta on April 15, will explore the use of green hydrogen as a marine fuel.
The initiative aims to support Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector. Hendri Ginting, Director of Shipping and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation, noted that the ministry has initiated efforts to convert conventional vessels into hybrid hydrogen-battery powered ships, reinforcing its commitment to low-emission transport solutions.
“This collaboration plays an important role in accelerating our NDC targets,” Ginting stated.
PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo emphasized that the partnership aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision, which targets national energy independence and achieving Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2060 or sooner.
“This is a strategic initiative to reduce carbon emissions in maritime transport using domestically sourced clean energy,” Prasodjo said.
PLN’s Director of Corporate Planning and Business Development, Hartanto Wibowo, highlighted that the study will initially focus on Eastern Indonesia, a region rich in renewable energy resources and home to key ASDP-managed shipping routes.
Following the successful development of Indonesia’s electric vehicle ecosystem, Wibowo stated that PLN is now pushing for hydrogen-based vehicle adoption as a complementary solution to battery-based electrification.
As a pioneer in Indonesia’s hydrogen ecosystem, PLN has produced 203 tons of green hydrogen to date through 22 Green Hydrogen Plants (GHP) across the country.
Supporting the initiative, Mathieu Geze, Asia Pacific Director and President Director of PT HDF Energy Indonesia, expressed the company’s commitment to helping decarbonize Indonesia’s maritime sector using fuel cell technologies powered by green hydrogen.
“We’re proud to support Indonesia’s energy transition and position the country as a regional leader in hydrogen innovation,” Geze said, noting the project also serves as a showcase for French clean tech on the global stage.
