Indonesia, Greece Strengthen Maritime Security Cooperation Through New Agreement
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) Chief Admiral Irvansyah has formalized a maritime security cooperation agreement with the Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) during an official meeting in Piraeus, Greece, on Monday, November 24.
The agreement reinforces a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on maritime security and safety, building upon a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed by both agencies in 2018. Admiral Irvansyah held discussions with HCG Commandant Vice Admiral Tryfon Kontizas at the HCG headquarters, focusing on joint maritime initiatives and enhanced security collaboration.
“The MoU is a continuation of the 2018 LoI,” Irvansyah said in a statement released Tuesday in Jakarta. He noted that ongoing cooperation between Indonesia and Greece already includes territorial surveillance and joint training exercises.
The renewed partnership comes as Bakamla seeks to broaden its international maritime cooperation. Prior to the Greece agreement, Bakamla also announced plans to deepen collaboration with Vietnam’s Coast Guard through coordinated patrols in shared border waters to combat illegal activities and strengthen maritime security.
“We are exploring coordinated patrols,” Vice Admiral Irvansyah stated after welcoming Vietnam’s Coast Guard vessel CSB-8001 at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta on Monday, August 25. He added that technical details of the cooperation will be finalized in upcoming meetings. The initiative will cover joint exercises, personnel exchanges, and comprehensive training programs.
“This partnership will enhance our capabilities in safeguarding Indonesian and ASEAN waters,” Irvansyah affirmed, emphasizing the importance of strengthening diplomatic ties with Vietnam.
In its broader modernization efforts, Bakamla plans to increase its operational fleet from 10 to 13 vessels. According to Irvansyah, one of the new ships will be donated by Japan, while the remaining two will be procured through foreign loans.
Bakamla’s ongoing efforts have already yielded significant results. In October 2025, Bakamla personnel successfully foiled a pirate attack targeting coal-carrying vessels near Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. KN Pulau Marore-322 commander Lt. Col. Adi Poetra Sitanggang reported that the interception occurred during a night patrol after officers received alerts about a suspicious wooden boat believed to be operated by pirates.
The vessel was approaching TB Kingston 818 and Tongkang Asiabay 106, which were transporting a combined 7,407 metric tons of coal, at coordinates 00°39’14″S – 117°53’33″E at 9:28 p.m. local time.
Bakamla has expressed its commitment to bolstering maritime security across Indonesia’s vast waters through strengthened international cooperation, enhanced fleet capacity, and intensified patrol operations.
