The Transportation Ministry's sea transportation directorate general plans to build 188 ships to support the “sea toll road” as part of Jokowi's maritime-axis program.

"This is the biggest ship development that we have ever had and it is expected to be finished in 2017," said the ministry's sea transportation director general Bobby R. Mamahit on Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.According to Bobby, the investment requirements for the project reached Rp 11.8 trillion (US$822 million), which would be allocated between 2015 and 2017.

He also said that the project, which was expected to strengthen Indonesia's marine defenses, would include the construction and deployment of 73 patrol vessels.For sea transportation, there would be an addition 796 vessels, some of which would be designed for transporting specific goods, such as cattle.

For navigation purposes, there will be an additional 15 vessels.Bobby added that the procurement process for the vessels would be done by auction and that the contract should be completed by mid-October.

The ministry has also issued circular letter No. UM.001/17/2/DK-15 regarding shipyard criteria for the development of the state's ships. The letter outlines many of the rules that should regulate this project. (nov/kes)

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