PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), known as KAI, is committed to\nstrengthening the development of freight transport services to support\nindustrial growth and national logistics connectivity. This move is a\nresponse to the high demand for retail transport services recorded\nbetween January and April 2026.<\/p>\n
During this period, KAI recorded a retail transport volume of 82,129\ntonnes, a 4.86 per cent increase compared to the 78,323 tonnes recorded\nduring the same period in 2025. Compared to the January\u2013April 2024\nperiod, which saw 66,654 tonnes, the retail transport volume at the\nstart of 2026 grew by 23.22 per cent.<\/p>\n
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication, Anne Purba, stated\nthat this growth demonstrates an increasing need among businesses for\ngoods distribution services that are efficient, measurable, and capable\nof reaching various regions more optimally. \u201cRailways are increasingly\nbeing chosen as a mode of goods distribution because they offer large\ncapacity, more predictable travel times, and support logistics cost\nefficiency within the national supply chain,\u201d she said in a press\nrelease.<\/p>\n
This situation indicates that significant opportunities for\nefficiency remain within the national logistics sector. The potential\nfor national industries to increase product competitiveness in both\ndomestic and global markets is considered much greater if distribution\ncosts can be reduced. \u201cLogistics efficiency will directly impact\nindustrial production costs. When goods distribution becomes more\neffective, the national supply chain will also become more competitive,\u201d\nAnne explained.<\/p>\n
Currently, a single KAI wagon has an average capacity of 50 tonnes\nand is being upgraded to 70 tonnes. If a full train consists of 60\nwagons, the transport capacity can reach 4,200 tonnes in a single\njourney.<\/p>\n
In addition to strengthening capacity, KAI is also encouraging the\nintegration of logistics services with industrial estates, warehousing,\nand ports to ensure goods distribution can occur more rapidly and\nefficiently. Currently, Java remains the primary hub for national\nlogistics activities, accounting for approximately 60 per cent of\nIndonesia\u2019s logistics activity, with logistics costs estimated to reach\nIDR 2,400\u20132,500 trillion per year. An efficiency of 30 per cent is\nestimated to generate savings of up to IDR 1,000 trillion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith an extensive operational network and large transport capacity,\nrailways have great potential to support national logistics distribution\nthat is more efficient, safe, and sustainable,\u201d Anne asserted. Moving\nforward, the optimisation of rail-based distribution is expected to\ndrive economic efficiency and strengthen Indonesia\u2019s competitiveness.\n\u201cThe larger the share of goods distribution that shifts to railways, the\ngreater the opportunity for efficiency that can be felt by the business\ncommunity and the wider public,\u201d Anne concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/responding-to-surge-in-retail-transport-kai-strengthens-freight-service-development-1780910364", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }