Marves - Jakarta, Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic country, comprising 75% of the ocean and 17,500 islands, with a coastline of 108,000 km; nevertheless, only 19% of Indonesia's oceans are mapped. Indonesia's oceans, which are rich in biodiversity, have not yet been fully explored, particularly the deep sea (Monday, 26/02/2024).

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia will conduct research collaboration with the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IDSSE-CAS) under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (CMMAI) of Indonesia. This study will use IDSSE’s Tan-Suo-Yi-Hao Research Vessel equipped with a Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV) Fendhouze capable of diving to a depth of 11,000 meters.

The research will take place in the Indian Ocean, specifically in the deep trench west of Sumatra and south of Java, Bali, and Lombok. This trench is one of the deepest in the Indian Ocean, with a depth of around 7,192 meters. The research operations are scheduled to occur from February 23 to March 23, 2024. The Indonesian Research Team, comprising representatives from BRIN, Halu Oleo University of Kendari, and Hang Tuah University of Surabaya, was selected through an open request for participation process in February 2024. This research collaboration will break the Indonesian record for the deepest dive.

Acting Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation Infrastructure of BRIN, Dr. Yan Rianto stated that this open call process was conducted in order to provide opportunities for all Indonesian researchers to participate not only in vessel activities, but also in advanced processing and analysis stages to produce significant output and outcomes.

"Researching the deep sea is an important thing for us to do, currently we use cooperation partner' research vessel, and in the next few years we will use Indonesian deep sea research vessel", continued Dr. Yan Rianto.

Dr. Xiaotong PENG, Deputy Director of IDSSE-CAS, also the Expedition Leader said that this China - Indonesia Java Trench Joint Dive Expedition 2024, as a part of the Global Trench Exploration and Dive Programme (Global TREnD), is to conduct a comprehensive study of the Java Trench, which will deepen collaboration in deep-sea science and technology between China and Indonesia, as well as contribute to significant scientific discovery in the deepest trench of the Indian Ocean.

"The collaboration between BRIN and IDSSE-CAS has received full attention and support from the CMMAI, and of course also involves other Ministries/Institutions in terms of substance," said Deputy Coordinating Minister for Maritime Resources of CMMAI, Mochamad Firman Hidayat. This joint research cruise also have support from Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Chinese Hainan province ocean science program. It was further stated that it is hoped that this research will find potential for innovative products and solutions for fields such as medicine or bio-technology, and most importantly the opportunity to study the potential of earthquakes and tsunamis for the safety of mankind. "Not only benefits from the economic side, but also safety," said Firman Hidayat.

No.SP-44/HUM/ROKOM/SET.MARVES/II/2024

Communications Bureau
of The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment