PT Pelayaran Nasional Ekalya Purnamasari Tbk (ELPI) has recorded a surge in demand for shipyard services, both for new shipbuilding and repair services. To anticipate this trend, the company plans to increase its production capacity by up to 30%.
ELPI Corporate Secretary Wawan Heri Purnomo explained that the utilization rate of ELPI's two shipyards—located in Gresik and in the Samarinda-Balikpapan area—has already reached its maximum capacity.
“In terms of capacity, we are already at full capacity. One shipyard can handle around 1,500 tons per year, and currently, orders are already overloaded. Therefore, expansion is a strategic step to capture market opportunities,” he said on Thursday (September 4, 2025).
High Demand, ELPI Rejects External Orders
Current market demand comes mainly from the ship repair and maintenance sector. However, in terms of capacity, new shipbuilding still dominates because it can be calculated precisely based on the size and specifications of the ship.
“Repairs are more volatile. But for new ships—for example, 30 or 40 meters—the production capacity is clear and can be planned,” said Wawan.
ELPI is currently working on nine new ships, ranging from multipurpose vessels, tugs and barges, to crew boats. The construction process takes 16 to 18 months, including sea trials and classification processes.
“Because our capacity is full, we have even rejected several external requests for shipbuilding. However, we continue to provide repair services to maintain our relationship with customers,” he added.
Challenges: Raw Material Imports and Pressure from Used Chinese Vessels
Despite his optimism about the market's potential, Wawan highlighted a number of challenges that still loom over the national shipbuilding industry. One of them is the high dependence on imports of raw materials and components, such as main engines, generators, propellers, and even small components.
“Ship engines are customized, so new manufacturers only produce them after there is demand. This makes the supply chain longer and more complex,” he said.
In addition, competition with used ships from China is also a challenge. Ten-year-old used ships are still in high demand because they are much cheaper than building new ships domestically.
“If there are no regulations limiting the age of imported ships, the trend of purchasing used ships will continue to suppress the growth of the national shipbuilding industry,” said Wawan.
Regulatory Support Needed
ELPI believes that policies that are more favorable to the domestic maritime industry are needed, including fiscal incentives and restrictions on the age of imported ships. With the right regulatory support, the company is confident that the national shipbuilding industry can grow more competitively and sustainably.