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Charter income · Labuan Bajo

Phinisi Charter Income

What a phinisi can earn on charter from Labuan Bajo: build costs, charter rates, running costs and how foreign owners hold the boat. Indicative figures, confirmed on enquiry.

Aerial view of a phinisi at sunset near islands

The short answer

A phinisi chartered from Labuan Bajo earns on daily and weekly packages, with demand peaking mid-year and over December. That income has to clear crew, maintenance and fuel. Foreign owners hold the vessel through a PT PMA or a local joint venture.

Running a charter boat

The detail behind the numbers: management, setup and buying a working boat.

Which phinisi to charter

The vessel decides the market you can sell to, and the capital you put at risk.

Traditional phinisi

  • USD 250k–450k, indicative
  • Appeals to mid-range charter markets
  • Lower capital at risk
  • Traditional layout and set-up

Luxury new build

  • USD 1.2M–3.5M, indicative
  • Attracts high-end clients seeking bespoke trips
  • Built in South Sulawesi over 12–24 months
  • Ironwood and teak, designed to your market

All figures indicative, confirmed on enquiry.

Charter figures

Daily charter rate
IDR 15–50M
Weekly package
IDR 100–300M
Annual operating costs
IDR 1.5–2B
Months for a new build
12–24

Indicative ranges; confirmed on enquiry for a specific vessel.

Foreign ownership

Aerial view of a phinisi among islands

Owning through a PT PMA

Foreigners cannot directly own an Indonesian-flagged vessel. A PT PMA, a foreign direct-investment company, can own and operate a phinisi; a joint venture with a local partner is the other common route.

  • PT PMA Investment licences and registration with Indonesian authorities.
  • Joint venture Foreign capital plus local maritime and regulatory knowledge.
  • Revenue share Agreements that balance the investment and operating roles.

Feasibility first

Before committing capital, test the numbers for the boat you have in mind.

What a study covers

  • Market demand analysis
  • Cost-benefit evaluation
  • Risk mitigation strategies
  • Regulatory compliance review

Key cost components

  • Construction and materials
  • Design and customisation
  • Registration and flagging
  • Legal and consultancy fees

Phinisi price & cost

Good to know

Charter income questions

What does a custom phinisi for charter cost?

USD 1.2M–3.5M for a luxury new build, indicative and confirmed on enquiry. Construction takes about 12–24 months.

What do phinisi charters earn?

Daily rates run IDR 15–50 million and weekly packages IDR 100–300 million, depending on size and luxury level. Indicative.

What does a phinisi cost to run?

An estimated IDR 1.5–2 billion a year, covering crew, maintenance and fuel. Indicative, confirmed per vessel.

Can foreigners own a phinisi in Indonesia?

Not directly as an Indonesian-flagged vessel. Foreign investors set up a PT PMA, or enter a joint venture with a local partner.

How do owners handle the off-season?

By targeting niche markets such as diving groups, and with off-season price reductions to keep bookings coming.

All boat sales FAQ
Red-sail phinisi anchored below hills

Weighing a charter investment?

Tell us your budget and how you want to own. We reply with indicative figures, the ownership route and the next step.