Govt eases access to fishing vessel seaworthiness certificates

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Marine and Fisheries Ministry provides easy access for fishermen to obtain the Fishing Vessel Seaworthiness Certificate (SKKP) to simplify the administrative processes and support the smooth operation of fishing vessels.

“The service can be accessed through online system or the integrated service centers at fishing ports,” said the Director General of Capture Fisheries, Lotharia Latif, in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

Latif explained fishing vessels and fish transport vessels that obtained the certificate have fulfilled the aspects of seaworthiness, catch-worthiness, and storage-worthiness standards, ensuring compliance with safety and operational requirements for sailing at sea.

He detailed two mechanisms for SKKP renewal in 2025; the first is for fishing vessels that are still at sea as of December 31, 2024, and will return to fishing ports.

The second is for vessels that have undergone seaworthiness inspections in 2024.

“For vessels that are still at sea engaged in fishing activities, they can apply for SKKP extension with validity only until April 30, 2025,” he said.

But when vessels return to their base port for the first time before the extended certificate validity period ends, the extended certificate will be invalidated, and a new seaworthiness inspection will be conducted.

Meanwhile, vessels that underwent seaworthiness inspections in 2024 can renew their SKKP without requiring another inspection.

“Applications can be submitted starting in early 2025 and no earlier than 90 calendar days before the SKKP expires. This extension without a seaworthiness inspection is limited to one extension period,” Latif explained.

Previously, Minister of Marine and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said that his ministry committed to always improving public services for the maritime and fisheries community, not only in terms of human resources but also in terms of optimizing service performance.