Indonesia Urged to Transform International Ports from Status-Based to Performance-Based Approach
Indonesia holds a strategic position within the global trade network. However, the high number of ports holding international status does not automatically reflect the effectiveness of the national port system.
Robby Kurniawan, an advisor to the Indonesian Transport Community (MTI) and a lecturer at the Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelagayaran (STIP), stated that Indonesia needs to transform the management of international ports from an administrative status-based approach towards a function and performance-based approach.
According to Robby, empirical data shows a persistent gap between the number of ports with international status and their actual function and performance.
“Of the 144 ports with international status, by 2025, only 73 ports or 50.69 per cent are recorded as actively conducting exports. Meanwhile, only 63 ports or 43.75 per cent are actively conducting imports,” Robby said in a statement on Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
Furthermore, Indonesia’s international trade flows remain concentrated in a few major ports. This condition indicates a gap between administrative status, actual function, connectivity, and port performance.
Based on these findings, Robby noted that focus group discussions (FGD) and research recommend the implementation of the Integrated International Port Effectiveness Model (IIPEM). This model is designed to view international ports not as standalone entities, but as part of an integrated national port network system based on function and performance.
“Through IIPEM, we will no longer just ask how many international ports we have, but what function each port must perform, how effectively that function is carried out, and how it contributes to the national trade network,” he said.
Robby explained that IIPEM is built upon six strategic capabilities. First, Strategic Port Governance, which includes regulation, institutional frameworks, coordination, and performance-based governance.
Second, Maritime Connectivity, covering direct calls, shipping networks, service frequency, and maritime corridor integration.
Third, Hinterland & Economic Integration, involving the connection between ports and industrial zones, economic zones, multi-modal systems, and cargo bases.
Fourth, Operational Efficiency, encompassing productivity, utilisation, service time, costs, and operational reliability.
Fifth, International Trade Facilitation, which includes CIQP (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Port Health), single submission, risk management, and data integration.