INTERVIEW: Pertamina shipping arm prioritizes diversified fleet in global push

Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) will continue pursuing a diversified fleet strategy instead of concentrating on any single vessel segment as the Indonesian state-owned shipping company positions itself for greater international growth, CEO Surya Tri Harto told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, in an interview.

"We do not have an intention to go to a specific type of vessel," Harto said, adding that maintaining a diversified portfolio enables the company to better manage market volatility across shipping cycles.

"If we maintain a single type of vessel, I think we lose the opportunity to manage the risk ... We are more conservative in terms of how we detect growth, but it is more about how to manage the risk of market volatility by diversifying the type of vessels," said Harto.

PIS currently owns 409 vessels, including 21 tankers and nine gas carriers.

Risk management

Harto noted that PIS had strengthened its focus on risk management and corporate governance amid geopolitical uncertainty, sanctions, and increasingly important compliance requirements for international shipping companies.

Among the measures being strengthened are standardized Know Your Customer procedures for counterparties and greater operational transparency supported by technology.

On heightened geopolitical tensions, Harto noted that cargo owners are the most affected parties. "We, as the transporters, follow the cargoes," he said.

PIS said June 25 that one of the two Aframaxes it owned, Gamsunoro, had safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on the evening of June 24 in Indonesian time, following the company's emergency responses and Indonesia's diplomatic initiatives.

Another PIS vessel operating in the Persian Gulf, VLCC Pertamina Pride, is currently preparing for its transit while evaluating risks and taking international recommendations into account, said PIS. S&P Global Market Intelligence Network data shows that the VLCC has remained in the Gulf since Feb. 25. As of July 3, it is carrying about 1.8 million barrels of Arab Light with Kiire, Japan, as the destination.

Global expansion hinges on trust

"Our mandate is managing Pertamina's international business," Harto said, adding that, following a restructuring earlier this year, PIS "no longer manages domestic operations."

PIS' captive shipping business was transferred to Pertamina Patra Niaga amid Pertamina's downstream restructuring that took effect on Feb. 1, allowing PIS to focus exclusively on Pertamina's international shipping activities while expanding its global presence.

Harto stressed that the company's international strategy is not centered on rapid fleet expansion. "Our aspiration is to improve our presence globally, not necessarily in terms of size, but in terms of recognition," he said.

"We want to improve the trust and acceptability of us, not only commercially but also operationally," said Harton, noting that building greater credibility would ultimately create more opportunities for commercial collaboration.

The strategy is already shaping PIS' engagement with overseas partners. During Posidonia 2026 in Athens, PIS signed a non-disclosure agreement with Columbia Shipmanagement to explore potential cooperation.

Harto cautioned that discussions remain at an early stage and no binding commercial agreement has been reached. "The team is now working on identifying the potential collaboration ... but we have not come up to any final conclusion," he said, adding that discussions cover areas including talent development, financing, systems and technology.

He also noted that Columbia Shipmanagement is not the only international company with which PIS is exploring potential cooperation.

Other areas of cooperation include new LNG carriers and the establishment of a regional commercial presence in key international markets.

The company is also expanding its offshore business portfolio, including floating energy infrastructure such as FSOs, FPSOs, FSRUs and FLNG facilities, while strengthening its offshore support vessel operations domestically and internationally.

Expanding low-emission operations

On decarbonization, Harto said emissions reduction remained the company's immediate priority.

Harto said part of that strategy includes gradually equipping vessels for lower-emission operations, such as adopting lower-emission fuels, noting that the five VLGCs of the company's nine gas carriers are already equipped with dual-fuel capability.

In 2025, PIS achieved a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 116,761 tCO₂e, a 103% increase from 2024's 57,371 tCO₂e, amid an integrated approach that included optimizing vessel operating speeds, which accounted for the largest share of the reduction, and eco-ship design for new vessels.

PIS is also developing internal capabilities to support future energy-transition cargoes as market demand evolves, added Harto.

Looking ahead, Harto said the company's vision over the next three to five years is to become a globally trusted shipping partner rather than simply a larger fleet owner.

"We want to be more trusted in this industry, becoming the top of mind of customers, partners and clients whenever they are thinking of shipping," he said.

He added that PIS' increased international engagement, including its participation at the annual maritime event Posidonia, forms part of that strategy, "to build trust."