Speech by Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, Mr Chee Hong Tat at the Office Opening for Pertamina International Shipping Pte. Ltd.

Bapak Suryo Pratomo, Ambassador of Indonesia to Singapore,

Bapak Yoki Firnandi, CEO, PT Pertamina Shipping,

Bapak Mochtar Husein, President Commissioner, Pertamina International Shipping,

Bapak Muhamad Resa, Managing Director, Pertamina International Shipping,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.     Good afternoon. Selamat Sore.

2.     Let me begin by congratulating Pertamina International Shipping on the opening of your new office in Singapore. It is a very happy occasion today. 

3.     As a global hub port and international maritime centre, Singapore welcomes companies, talent, and ideas from around the world, including from our neighbours in the region and our close friends in ASEAN, like Indonesia.

4.     Such openness and win-win collaboration are vital ingredients for the growth and prosperity of our region.  

5.     We have much to gain by working together, learning from one another and tapping on each country’s strengths and resources.  

6.     My colleagues and I are therefore very happy that Pertamina’s operations in Singapore have expanded steadily since the establishment of your office here in 2018.

7.     We are delighted to work alongside Pertamina as you continue to grow your business in Singapore and the region.

8.     I look forward to further opportunities for us to work together to advance our shared goals, in traditional business areas as well as in new fields such as digitalisation, decarbonisation, and talent development.

9.     For example, Pertamina International Marketing and Distribution is looking to conduct bunkering operations in Singapore.  

a.     We welcome your application for a bunkering licence with MPA. I understand that the discussions are progressing well.  

10.    On sustainability, the International Maritime Organization adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships, with enhanced targets.  

11.    Both Singapore and Indonesia have also announced net-zero targets for carbon emissions. 

a.     Companies like Pertamina are contributing actively to the push towards cleaner fuels and energy, including in areas such as biofuels, carbon reduction, and hydrogen production.

b.     Pertamina’s presence and future growth in Singapore will open up possibilities to co-create innovative green solutions with other industry stakeholders, as well as our institutes of higher learning. 

12.    Another key priority we share is talent development. 

a.     Nurturing a skilled, adaptable, and global workforce for the maritime sector has always been important, but is now more important than ever. 

b.     I encourage Pertamina to work with MPA to invest in our maritime talent, such as by participating in MaritimeONE scholarship and internship programmes.  I also hope that students from Singapore will do internships in Indonesia to learn more of the vast opportunities that Indonesia offers. That will be something that our youths will benefit from, and I hope that is something that we can work towards.

Conclusion

13.     To conclude, I understand that there is a saying in Bahasa: “Duduk seorang bersempit-sempit, duduk bersama berlapang-lapang”. 

a.     It means: “a man sitting alone cuts a lonely figure; but many sitting together can fill up the room.”

b.     The wisdom in this saying is that it is better for us to work together with friends and partners, than to work alone, so that we are better able to achieve our goals.

14.    Today’s event is a significant and happy milestone in the partnership between Maritime Singapore and Pertamina, and we look forward to many years of fruitful cooperation ahead.

15.    Thank you for your strong support for Maritime Singapore, and congratulations once again!