Every September 23, Indonesia commemorates National Maritime Day. This day highlights the country’s identity as a maritime nation with thousands of islands and the world’s second-longest coastline.
History of National Maritime Day
National Maritime Day was first commemorated in 1964 under a Presidential Decree. Its background was the strong desire of Indonesia to recognize the sea as a unifying force, not a divider. This principle is rooted in the Djuanda Declaration of 1957, which affirmed Indonesia’s sovereignty over its seas as one unified territory.
The declaration was later recognized by the international community through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Since then, Indonesia has been acknowledged as a strategic archipelagic state.
The Meaning of National Maritime Day
This commemoration is not merely ceremonial; it also reminds people of the importance of protecting the sea. Indonesia’s oceans hold abundant resources that support the national economy, from fisheries and marine tourism to international trade routes.
Moreover, National Maritime Day serves as a call to protect marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, and endangered marine species threatened by pollution and overexploitation.
Indonesia as a Maritime Nation
With more than 17,000 islands and over 108,000 km of coastline, Indonesia holds great potential to become a global maritime axis. This commemoration reaffirms the nation’s commitment to that vision while inspiring the younger generation to love and protect Indonesia’s seas.
Conclusion
National Maritime Day is a reminder that the sea is an inseparable part of Indonesia’s identity. Through this observance, the nation is called to safeguard its maritime wealth for a more sustainable future.
