The government of Indonesia is keen to develop, adopt and deploy maritime technology as it is confident that the nation has enormous maritime potential. More than 66% of the total area of Indonesia is the sea.
Therefore, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi welcomed the innovation of Surabaya Ten November Institute of Technology (ITS) in this sector during a virtual soft launch earlier this week.
The institute has designed an Autonomous Ship or ITS Autonomous Boat (I Boat). This development of the ship by ITS is seen as a tremendous breakthrough in logistics and transportation in adverse and dangerous conditions. The vehicle has the capability of reaching areas that are difficult to access currently by manned ships.
This breakthrough was greatly appreciated by the minister of especially as it was created amid the COVID 19 pandemic.
“The COVID 19 pandemic exposes us to uncertain situations and often reduces our productivity. On the other hand, ITS academics can still create and develop an Autonomous Ship or I-Boat. This proves that the work of the nation is not inferior to other countries that can contribute to Indonesia’s maritime development,” said Minister Budi Karya Sumadi0.
During the In the virtual launch, Minister Budi Karya Sumadi also expressed his commitment to support of the country’s entrepreneurs, innovators and developers – not only those from ITS. He was of the opinion that such innovations have a real impact on the development of transportation in the country.
“I appreciate the hard work of ITS in making this Autonomous Ship and also appeal to the private sector, the public, the media that we must support, respect, give space and use it for the progress of our nation,” he said.
The Minister of Transportation extended an open invitation to all parties, especially universities, business actors, government and the wider community to collaborate so that innovative products such as those created by ITS can run smoothly. He was of the firm belief that down-streaming was critical for availing benefits of any development. An innovative product does not stop at the campus but must be utilised by the wider community for it to have real value.
He acknowledged that ITS had carried out its responsibilities well, through innovation and development of quality human resources and has been proven to have made an extraordinary contribution to the nation and state.
At the end of his remarks, the Minister reminded the audience that innovation at the higher education level is very important if Indonesia wants to succeed in the future.
