PELNI Expands Collaboration with Educational Institutions

PT PELNI (Persero) continues to strengthen the regeneration of Indonesia’s seafaring workforce through open recruitment and campus hiring programs at various maritime schools and academies across the country.

Press Release
PT PELNI (Persero)
No: 05.29/54/PR/V/2026

Strengthening the Regeneration of Indonesian Seafarers, PELNI Expands Collaboration with Educational Institutions

Jakarta, May 29, 2026 – PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia or PT PELNI (Persero) continues to strengthen the regeneration of Indonesia’s seafaring workforce through open recruitment and campus hiring programs at various maritime schools and academies across the country. This initiative aims to meet the company’s crew requirements while creating broader career opportunities for Indonesia’s younger generation in the maritime sector.

As of April 2026, PELNI employed a total of 4,304 personnel, consisting of 3,009 seafaring employees, representing approximately 70 percent of the workforce, and 1,295 shore-based employees, accounting for around 30 percent. These figures highlight that PELNI’s operations continue to be predominantly supported by seafarers as the frontline workforce of Indonesia’s national maritime transportation services.

PELNI Corporate Secretary Ditto Pappilanda stated that demand for seafaring personnel remains high to support the operation of both passenger vessels and non-PSO vessels operated by the company.

"PELNI currently requires hundreds of seafarers for various positions, including officers and ratings, who will be assigned to PSO and non-PSO vessels. These workforce needs are being fulfilled gradually through open recruitment, campus hiring initiatives, and partnerships with educational and training institutions," said Ditto.

Ditto added that PELNI offers opportunities for fresh graduates, experienced professionals, and final-semester students through scholarship programs tailored to the company’s workforce requirements. The available positions cover a wide range of disciplines, including nautical studies, marine engineering, ratings, maritime and port administration (KLK), general administration, and graduates from vocational training institutions.

For shipboard assignments, the company continues to prioritize compliance with certification and competency requirements in accordance with applicable maritime regulations.

The positions available encompass virtually all shipboard roles, including Captains, Chief Engineers, deck and engine officers, deck and engine ratings, hospitality crew members, Ship Administrative Officers, healthcare personnel such as doctors and nurses, security crew members, radio officers, and electrical officers.

As part of its recruitment strategy, PELNI actively conducts roadshows and visits to maritime schools and higher education institutions throughout Indonesia. During 2026, these activities have been carried out at Sorong Maritime Polytechnic, BP2TL, SMKN Pelabuhan Ratu, Sangkurian Vocational Training Center (LPK) in Bogor, and Duta Persada Vocational Training Center (LPK) in Yogyakarta.

Going forward, similar initiatives will also be conducted at several other educational institutions, including North Sulawesi Polytechnic, Makassar Maritime Polytechnic (PIP Makassar), Surabaya Polytechnic, BP3IP Banten, other maritime colleges, and tourism-focused campuses.

In addition to recruitment activities, PELNI is strengthening strategic collaboration through the signing of memoranda of understanding with various educational and training institutions, including maritime polytechnics, general universities, and the Indonesian Cruise Ship Hospitality Training Forum (FKPKPI).

"Through this program, PELNI aims to strengthen the company's corporate value proposition within educational institutions while improving the effectiveness of recruiting competent and work-ready seafaring professionals," Ditto added.

Ditto also emphasized that all stages of PELNI’s recruitment process are conducted free of charge. The public is advised to remain vigilant against parties fraudulently claiming to represent PT PELNI (Persero) for recruitment scams.

"PELNI provides broad opportunities for Indonesia’s younger generation to contribute their best capabilities to the nation by supporting national connectivity through maritime transportation alongside PELNI," Ditto concluded.

As part of its commitment to the development of Indonesia’s maritime human resources, PELNI will also participate in the series of activities commemorating Seafarers Day, organized by the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia next June. This involvement reflects the company’s commitment to supporting the advancement of the national shipping industry and enhancing the quality of Indonesian seafarers.

About PELNI

As a state-owned enterprise engaged in shipping services, PELNI currently operates 25 passenger vessels serving 483 route segments and calling at 75 ports throughout Indonesia.

In addition to passenger transportation services, PELNI operates 30 pioneer shipping routes, providing essential accessibility and mobility for communities in frontier, outermost, underdeveloped, and border regions (3TP). These pioneer vessels call at 229 ports, covering 516 route segments and 2,515 voyage routes. PELNI also operates 17 Rede vessels. For logistics services, PELNI currently operates 8 Sea Toll routes and one dedicated livestock vessel route.

For further information, please contact:

Firdha Islamy
Manager, Corporate Communications
PT PELNI (Persero)
Tel: +62 21 6334342 ext. 1310