Partnering with the National Library of Indonesia, PIS Brings the Ocean Closer Through Mobile Libraries

Partnering with the National Library of Indonesia, PIS Brings the Ocean Closer Through Mobile Libraries

Jakarta - PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) is introducing a new way to bring the ocean closer to children and introduce them to marine life through mobile library vehicles (MPK) that provide books on maritime-related topics.

Through its Ocean LiteraSEA Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR) program, PIS has revitalized three mobile library vehicles (MPK) owned by the Bogor Regency Archives and Library Service. The launch of these mobile libraries took place during the Bahtera LiteraSEA event at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta. Organized to commemorate World Teachers' Day, the event was a collaboration between PIS, the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas), and Yayasan Inovasi Muda, with support from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Ministry of Transportation.

PIS Acting Corporate Secretary, Vega Pita, stated that maritime education needs to be introduced from an early age to build younger generations' awareness of and concern for Indonesia's oceans.

"We believe that our children will one day become the generation that protects our oceans. We hope to foster their love for and awareness of the ocean from an early age," Vega said in Jakarta on Wednesday (October 7, 2026).

Vega added that the mobile library revitalization program is also part of efforts to expand access to literacy resources in residential areas, allowing children to access reading materials not only at school but also close to home.

"This new initiative extends beyond schools into residential areas. This means children can access books not only at school but also near their homes, bringing the ocean closer to them," Vega explained.

The revitalization program includes vehicle engine repairs, the procurement of barcode scanners, the relocation of video screens, and the provision of books on maritime-related topics. These efforts aim to support the optimal functioning of the mobile libraries while expanding public access to reading materials that can enhance maritime knowledge and awareness.

In line with this initiative, Adin Bondar, Deputy for Library Resources Development at the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia, noted that providing access remains an important challenge in expanding ocean literacy. The revitalization of the mobile libraries in collaboration with PIS is expected to serve as a means of bringing maritime-related reading materials closer to communities.

"Our challenge is how to build access. Together with Pertamina, we are revitalizing mobile library vehicles to create an instrument for accessing maritime reading materials," Adin explained.

According to Adin, maritime awareness can also be fostered by providing knowledge about the ocean through various reading materials that are easily accessible and close to children's everyday lives.

"Maritime awareness does not require children to come to the ocean. Instead, the ocean itself can come to them through books, comics, and various forms of maritime literature," he emphasized.

Through Bahtera LiteraSEA, PIS and its partners are promoting stronger literacy as a means of introducing maritime knowledge to younger generations. In addition to expanding access to reading materials, this initiative is also expected to foster a love for the ocean, encourage environmentally conscious behavior, and improve children's understanding of the importance of preserving the sustainability of Indonesia's marine ecosystems.