PT PAL Indonesia has commenced construction of the second modified Landing Platform Dock export vessel for the Philippine Navy. This 124 meter long vessel is part of the second batch of two Landing Platform Docks (LPD) ordered by the Philippines. The keel laying ceremony for this vessel took place on May 29, following the first steel cutting on January 22.
PT PAL inaugurated the construction of the second Philippine warship at the Semarang Graving Dock in Surabaya, East Java. The ceremony was attended by Philippine Navy officials, Captain Leo Amor A. Vidal and Captain Emerson F. Oxales. Following the inauguration, the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC) and representatives of the Philippine Navy (PNOR) conducted a thorough technical inspection of the ship.
In June 2022, the Philippines signed a contract with PT PAL for two additional Strategic Sealift Vessels (SSVs). This contract follows a $92 million agreement in 2014 that resulted in the delivery of the BRP Tarlac and BRP Davao del Sur (commissioned in 2016 and 2017, respectively). These vessels have proven to be versatile and indispensable in various exercises and humanitarian missions, even in the South China Sea.
Currently, PT PAL is also working on the construction of a 163-meter LPD for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy, valued at AED 1.5 billion.
PT PAL Indonesia is also in fierce competition with other shipyards to secure a prestigious contract under the Royal Malaysian Navy's (TLDM) Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) program.
For additional information, PT PAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia's Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) in 2016 to explore the possibility of building the MRSS. However, there has been no significant development on this MoU to date.
Later, at the Defence Services Asia 2024 (DSA 2024) exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, PT PAL Indonesia and Malaysia's Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) signed a MoU to explore cooperation opportunities in shipbuilding and science and technology. This MoU was witnessed by the Chief of TLDM and represents a strategic step for PT PAL to expand its business reach in Southeast Asia.
PT PAL officials are optimistic about the market potential in Southeast Asia, including for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services.
PT PAL's advantages over other competitors, especially those outside of Southeast Asia, include a deep understanding of the region's tropical environment and its impact on material selection, shipbuilding processes and operational efficiency. This cooperation is expected to result in superior joint products, strengthen the maritime industry in the region, and enhance the role of Indonesia and Malaysia in regional maritime security.
