Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2014 The movement of goods in Indonesia reflects the\nneeds of each region. Industrial areas require supplies of raw\nmaterials, distribution centres need reliable deliveries, while various\nregions serve as origins or destinations for commodities that support\neconomic activity. Connecting these needs requires freight transport\ncapable of handling large volumes and matching delivery patterns to the\ncharacteristics of each region.<\/p>\n
Rail is one of the modes used to transport a range of non-coal\ncommodities across networks in Java and Sumatra. The services cover\nindustrial goods, containers, fuel, plantation products and retail\ngoods.<\/p>\n
According to PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) (KAI)\u2019s freight\nperformance report for January to September 2026, non-coal freight\nvolume reached 9,148,571 tonnes. This was a 2.6 per cent increase on the\n8,912,566 tonnes recorded in the same period in 2025.<\/p>\n
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communications Anne Purba said\nfreight distribution patterns vary between regions, meaning that\nservices must be managed with regard to customer needs, route readiness\nand operational capacity.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach region has different economic activities and distribution\nneeds. Some areas require deliveries of industrial materials, while\nother routes carry plantation products and consumer goods. The rail\nnetwork helps connect these needs through freight services tailored to\nthe characteristics of each corridor,\u201d Anne said.<\/p>\n
Of the total non-coal freight volume, KAI\u2019s operating areas in Java\nrecorded 6,684,683 tonnes between January and September 2026. Sumatra\naccounted for 2,463,889 tonnes. This means around 73 per cent of\nnon-coal freight came from Java and 27 per cent from Sumatra.<\/p>\n
In Java, freight services operate across nine operational areas.\nOperational Area 1 Jakarta recorded the largest volume, at 2,567,115\ntonnes, followed by Operational Area 8 Surabaya with 2,260,233 tonnes\nand Operational Area 5 Purwokerto with 1,006,418 tonnes. The other\noperational areas also serve a range of shipping needs specific to their\nrespective regions.<\/p>\n
In Sumatra, non-coal freight services are managed through four\nregional divisions. Regional Division III Palembang recorded 646,893\ntonnes, Regional Division I North Sumatra 626,185 tonnes, Regional\nDivision II West Sumatra 893,635 tonnes, and Regional Division IV\nTanjungkarang 297,175 tonnes between January and September 2026.<\/p>\n
Anne said the distribution highlights the importance of managing\nservices according to regional needs. The readiness of rolling stock,\nroute capacity, loading and unloading facilities, and schedule\nreliability all form part of planning to ensure goods move in line with\ncustomer requirements.<\/p>\n
\u201cFreight service development needs to start with an understanding of\ncustomer needs and each region\u2019s potential. When train capacity,\ninfrastructure readiness and delivery patterns are planned properly,\nrail-based transport has room to serve more distribution needs,\u201d Anne\nsaid.<\/p>\n
KAI will continue to assess opportunities to develop freight services\nbased on regional potential, industrial demand and network readiness.\nThe services are being developed to make rail transport an increasingly\nrelevant option for businesses planning interregional goods\ndistribution.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery region has a role in the movement of national logistics. KAI\nwants to ensure that its network and freight services can be used\naccording to customer needs, with measured planning and reliable\noperations,\u201d Anne concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/java-and-sumatra-drive-kais-freight-logistics-1792504357", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }