Pelindo: New routes and services boost container throughput

PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas stated that the expansion of shipping services through the opening of new routes, additional vessel calls, and increased trade activity has boosted national container throughput. Corporate Secretary Widyaswendra said container throughput reached 6.63 million TEUs, growing 5.51 per cent compared to the same period last year. “Growth occurred in both domestic and international containers,” he said in a statement in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday. International container flow reached 2.27 million TEUs, growing 9.13 per cent, while domestic flow reached 4.36 million TEUs, growing 3.72 per cent. In terms of international trade, imports reached 1.11 million TEUs, growing 11.67 per cent, and exports reached 1.13 million TEUs, growing 6.7 per cent, indicating that Indonesia’s trade activity is still growing positively amid global economic uncertainty. Widyaswendra said the growth was driven by increased shipping activity, the opening of new services, additional vessel calls, international direct calls in Eastern Indonesia, and rising logistics demand to support National Strategic Projects. In addition, terminal modernisation, improved inter-port connectivity, and service strengthening are important factors in maintaining the smooth flow of the national supply chain while enhancing Indonesia’s logistics competitiveness. Deputy Chairman for Maritime and Ports at the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI), Harry Sutanto, assessed that container throughput growth is an important indicator for reading the national economic condition. “This growth demonstrates national economic resilience amid global uncertainty,” Harry said. Although exports have declined compared to imports, he added, this condition remains positive because approximately 78 per cent of imports are raw materials and machinery needed by the manufacturing industry. Increased trade activity has also encouraged the opening of shipping services and additional vessel calls at several ports, such as Panjang Port in Bandarlampung, Lampung Province, which recorded a 17.4 per cent increase in container throughput. On the other hand, Harry said shipping companies remain cautious in opening new routes, with service launches made after considering cargo availability to ensure operational sustainability. “Shipping companies are very calculating in opening new routes. They must ensure the cargo is available and sustainable before deciding to open a regular service,” he said. Harry also reminded that the international shipping sector still faces pressure from geopolitical conflicts, such as shipping route changes causing sea freight costs to rise, especially on the Asia-Europe route, with freight rate increases of around 30-70 per cent.