Maritime Potential Optimization in the Riau Islands Province

Abstract

Abstract The archipelagic province’s maritime development has thus far been disproportionately attributed to fisheries and primary marine activities, restricting the evaluation of the ideal maritime sector optimization within the economy. The maritime notion and its scope apply to activities in more diverse fields. It accords with experts' conceptual and theoretical definitions and the Indonesian legal perspective as well). This study aims to assess the extent to which maritime performance optimization has occurred throughout the Riau Islands Province based on seventeen activities. Using a well-known quantitative technique, i.e., Location Quotient, Shift-Share, Overlay, and Klassen's Typology, we found that maritime optimization performed differently in each district and municipality of the Riau Islands Province. Based on the results, Batam is the region with the best maritime sector performance, followed by Bintan, Tanjungpinang, Karimun, and Lingga. Meanwhile, Anambas and Natuna are relatively lagging. In addition, the study results show that the optimization of the maritime sector is not limited to the creation of added value in primary outputs such as fisheries, mining, and quarrying. It also considers secondary and tertiary maritime activities such as manufacturing, trade, and services such as sea transportation, accommodation, food, and beverages, where there are many marine tourism activities. In addition, the results suggest that maritime sector optimization is not restricted to creating added value in the primary output but also secondary and tertiary.