Forging Maritime Connections between Indonesia and Germany
Forging Maritime Connections between Indonesia and Germany
In the field of global trade and transportation, the maritime industry stands as an important channel that connects nations and fosters economic growth. At the heart of this intricate web of maritime operations lies the expertise of marine engineers, who design, build, operate and maintain the vessels that sail over the seven seas. One individual who embodies the synergy between education, industry, and international collaboration is our colleague Abdul Hafidh Muhammad, a former marine engineering student who has found his calling as a bridge between Indonesia and Germany.
In 2012 he started his Bachelor course in Marine Engineering at ITS (“Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember”) in Surabaya, Indonesia. Since 2011 the university in Warnemünde, Germany (university of applied sciences) and ITS Surabaya in Indonesia offer a joint program to provide students with the opportunity to study marine engineering in both Indonesia and Germany. Therefore, after successfully completing his bachelor's degree, Abdul decided to do his master’s degree in Marine Engineering at the university in Warnemünde.
During his studies he joined Aquametro in March 2019 as a working student. After the successful completion of his master’s degree in August 2019 he was taken on as a full-time project engineer.
Linking Indonesia and Germany
In addition to his work as a project engineer, Abdul supports Indonesians who come to Germany on a voluntary basis. What began as a small endeavor soon blossomed into a significant initiative. Collaborating closely with the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin, Germany, he works tirelessly to provide essential guidance and resources to Indonesian citizens and especially students, helping them to navigate the challenges of settling into a foreign country. From practical matters like accommodation and paperwork to emotional support and cultural integration, his volunteer work has helped many Indonesians pursuing their dreams far from home.
Thanks to his commitment to Indonesia, Abdul recently received an invitation from the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Arif Havas Oegroseno to attend his reception on the naval training ship KRI BIMA SUCI during the Hanse Sail in Rostock.
The KRI Bima Suci is a renowned training ship operated by the Indonesian Navy under the command of Letkol Laut (P) M. Sati Lubis. This magnificent vessel is one of the largest Tall Ships in the world and serves as a floating classroom for naval cadets and officers. It has a length of around 110 meters and is equipped to accommodate a crew of 200 during training voyages. The KRI BIMA SUCI acts as a "floating ambassador" for Indonesia, paying courtesy visits to ports and events around the world. During Hanse Sail the beautiful lady was berthing next to German naval training ship “Gorch Fock”.
After the official reception the Aquametro team was invited to a tour of the KRI BIMA SUCI. We thank Abdul and the crew for the great insights into the technology of the ship and the culture of Indonesia.