Bappenas Emphasises the Development of an Integrated National Logistics Ecosystem

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister for National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) Rachmat Pambudy has emphasised the importance of developing an integrated national logistics ecosystem. “So, our connectivity is through ports. When the idea of a national logistics ecosystem is proposed, it indeed needs to be realised. The challenge is how to build the national logistics ecosystem in such a way that logistics does not only focus on transport or ports, or simply reducing transportation costs, but is also able to maintain the sovereignty of the state,” he said while receiving an audience from the President Director of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) Achmad Muchtasyar, quoted from an official statement from Bappenas in Jakarta on Wednesday. In that meeting, Rachmat Pambudy affirmed that Indonesia is a country with many straits. In that context, ports become a main part in maintaining sovereignty, while also connecting inter-regions. The Malacca Strait as a very busy global maritime route is mentioned as a strategic opportunity for Indonesia to develop transshipment ports. However, currently Indonesia still plays the role of a gateway port and has not entered the global hub network which is dominated by ports in neighbouring countries. The Pelindo side conveyed plans for the gradual development of the Dumai Transshipment Hub with an initial operational target in 2030. Dumai is assessed to have potential to be developed as a hub, supported by the availability of land and its geographical position. Regarding the proposal for Dumai Transshipment Hub as a Strategic National Project (PSN), the Minister for PPN stated that his side will examine its suitability with the framework of the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029, including the fulfilment of PSN criteria as regulated in Minister of PPN/Head of Bappenas Regulation Number 4 of 2025. “In addition, cross-ministerial and agency coordination is needed to agree on the differentiation of functions between candidate ports such as Dumai, Batam, and Kuala Tanjung, so as to avoid potential duplication of roles and over-investment,” said the Head of Bappenas.