Indonesia and US Cooperate to Build Maritime Training Center in Batam
United States (US) Charge d’affaires (CDA) Michael F Kleine has presided over the inauguration of Bakamla’s Anambas Maritime Training Center (MTC).
IDXChannel - United States (US) Charge d’affaires (CDA) Michael F Kleine and Head of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Vice Admiral TNI Irvansyah have presided over the inauguration of Bakamla’s Anambas Maritime Training Center (MTC).
“Today marks an important achievement in US-Indonesian maritime cooperation. Four years since our initial groundbreaking, this new center will strengthen Indonesia’s maritime capabilities and enhance its role as a leader in countering domestic and transnational crimes,” said Kleine in a media release on Monday (29/1/2024).
In his remarks, Irvansyah said that the Anambas Maritime Training Center in Batam was a historic milestone.
"Together, we will not only provide training for sailors, but also strengthen relationship between countries and strengthen ties that encourage maritime progress and security for a safe and prosperous future," he said.
Funded by the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), the USD1.5 million MTC represents the completion of the second phase of cooperation in Batam. The fully equipped center includes six classrooms, a conference room, and offices.
Previously, phase I construction was completed in June 2022, and included more than USD700,000 for the construction of a dining facility and male and female barracks for up to fifty students and twelve instructors. Phase I was funded by the US Indo-Pacific Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force West. Both phases came with the support of the US Coast Guard and the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command.
The MTC’s opening follows the November 2023 signing of a bilateral Work Plan on Maritime Security aimed at directing INL capacity building assistance to further enhance Indonesia’s maritime domain awareness and at-sea enforcement. (WHY)