New Routes and Services Boost National Container Traffic

The growth in container traffic was driven by increased shipping activity, the opening of new services, additional vessel calls, direct international calls in Eastern Indonesia, and rising logistics demand to support National Strategic Projects (PSN).

Corporate Secretary of PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas, Widyaswendra, stated that growth occurred in both domestic and international containers. International container flows reached 2.27 million TEUs, growing by 9.13%, while domestic flows reached 4.36 million TEUs, growing by 3.72%. In terms of international trade, imports reached 1.11 million TEUs (up 11.67%) and exports reached 1.13 million TEUs (up 6.70%). These figures show that Indonesia’s trade activity continues to grow positively amid global economic uncertainty.

In addition, terminal modernisation, increased inter-port connectivity, and service strengthening are important factors in maintaining the smooth flow of the national supply chain while increasing Indonesia’s logistics competitiveness.

Deputy Chairman for Maritime and Ports at the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI), Harry Sutanto, assessed that the growth in container traffic is a key indicator for reading the national economic condition. This growth demonstrates national economic resilience amid global uncertainty. Although exports have decreased compared to imports, this condition still has a positive impact because around 78% of imports are raw materials and machinery needed by the manufacturing industry.

‘If imports rise, around 78% of them are raw materials and machinery. This means the economic prospects, especially the manufacturing sector, are still growing,’ he said.

The increase in trade activity has also encouraged the opening of new shipping services and additional vessel calls at several ports. One port recording high growth is Panjang Port in Lampung, with container traffic increasing by 17.4%. ‘Almost all ports showed positive growth, although not uniformly. In Sumatra, for example, Panjang Port grew quite high. Pelindo ports themselves represent around 90% of national trade activity,’ he added.