Since President Joko Widodo took office in 2014, he has placed maritime governance at the top of his agenda, as evidenced by the introduction of his vision on Indonesia as a ‘global maritime fulcrum’. This article discusses how his administration has been working towards such a goal. First, it provides an overview of Indonesian laws related to maritime governance. Second, it looks at the institutions responsible for administering, enforcing, and/or applying those laws and how they have been performing their functions. Third, it explores how those institutions cooperate with external parties in four areas of Indonesia’s major interest at present: maritime security; safety of navigation; protection of the marine environment; and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Lastly, this article also discusses the challenges faced by the State in governing its maritime affairs and offers suggestions for a better maritime governance.