Medan, North Sumatra, July 16 -- The Indonesian National Shipowners' Association (INSA) and the Indonesian Shipbuilding and Offshore Association (Iperindo) have called for strengthening the national shipbuilding industry through supportive policies to support the national logistics system.

"Strengthening the national shipbuilding industry is one of the main prerequisites for realizing Indonesia as a sovereign maritime nation," INSA chairperson Carmelita Hartoto said in a statement here on Thursday.

She expressed concern over the bankruptcy of shipbuilding company PT Dok Perkapalan Surabaya (DPS), which has a 116-year history in Indonesia.

According to her, the company's bankruptcy serves as a warning that the shipbuilding industry requ...