The hugely ambitious plan was announced by the country’s chamber of commerce and industry (Kadin) and will be music to the ears of Chinese shipbuilders if it comes off to any sort of degree.
Kadin wants to improve logistics among Indonesia’s scattered islands with “short-sea” vessels.
The costs break down at $2m per ship, suggesting small cargo units.
One report added a zero to the $5bn and came up with a scarcely credible $50bn budget.
Kadin vice chairman Natsir Mansyur said the vessels will be delivered from 2013 to 2018.
"Indonesia's logistic costs are quite high due to the limited infrastructure and armada. We need to boost the logistics operations," he told Indonesians news portal merdeka.com.
No further details on funding were released.
