KAI Studies Connectivity from Industropolis Batang to Major Ports
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), or KAI, is studying the strengthening of freight transport connectivity to and from the Batang Integrated Industrial Estate (KITB)/Industropolis Batang in Central Java. The move is part of developing an increasingly integrated logistics ecosystem on Java.
The connectivity development discussions involve PT KAI, PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero), PT Sarana Pembangunan Jawa Tengah (Perseroda) or SPJT, and the Regional Public Company Aneka Usaha of Batang Regency, or Perumda Aneka Usaha Batang. Also involved is PT Kawasan Industri Terpadu Batang, or KITB/Industropolis Batang, as the estate manager.
“The study is directed at the connectivity of the industrial estate with dry ports, seaports, railway networks, warehousing, trucking, and major ports,” said KAI Vice President Corporate Communication Anne Purba in a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (25/8/2026).
Anne said logistics infrastructure plays a strategic role in determining the smooth flow of goods from industrial estates to domestic and international markets. She explained that industrial estates require logistics networks capable of efficiently connecting production centres with distribution centres and ports.
“KAI sees that railways have significant room to strengthen these networks, especially for the movement of goods in large volumes and over increasingly long distances,” Anne said.
According to Anne, this role is supported by the scale of KAI’s freight services. From January to July 2026, KAI transported 38,648,919 tonnes of goods. Of this, 31,661,769 tonnes were coal, while 6,987,150 tonnes came from non-coal commodities such as containers, cement, fuel, plantation commodities, retail goods, and other commodities.
Anne said the experience of managing large-volume goods movement is an important asset in assessing the potential of new industrial estates. The growth of production activity at KITB could open new goods flows if connected to terminals, ports, and distribution networks suited to the characteristics of each commodity.
“In the initial discussions, connectivity to Tanjung Priok in Jakarta, Tanjung Perak/Kalimas in Surabaya, and Patimban are among the directions to be explored further,” Anne said.
She said Tanjung Priok could strengthen access for goods from KITB to international trade networks, while connectivity to Tanjung Perak/Kalimas opens access to distribution and shipping networks through the eastern part of Java. Patimban is also included as an alternative network to be analysed based on origin-destination and the needs of KITB tenants.
“The use of railways will be determined based on distance, volume, commodity type, delivery frequency, travel time, handling processes, and the overall efficiency of the logistics chain,” Anne said.
She explained that routes with distances of around 150-200 kilometres and above are among the ranges to be explored further. Meanwhile, for relatively closer destinations such as Semarang/Tanjung Emas, modal options need to be compared to obtain the most effective distribution scheme.