BATUBARA SUMUT (ISL News) - Entering the fourth quarter of 2025, PT Prima Multi Terminal (PT PMT) made a new history in international shipping services. For the first time, PT Prima Multi Terminal (PMT) successfully served the maiden shipment of a Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group vessel, one of the world's largest shipping companies. The vessel, named MSC Zaina III, docked at PMT's pier on Wednesday (November 6, 2025), providing a significant boost to the development of this strategic port on the east coast of North Sumatra.
The Geneva, Switzerland-flagged ship is 213 meters long and has a capacity of 2,646 TEUs. On its maiden voyage, the ship carried approximately 500 container boxes. The MSC Zaina III's route spans Singapore-Belawan-Kuala Tanjung-Singapore, thus establishing a permanent route through the Strait of Malacca.
"We greatly appreciate the arrival of the MSC Zaina III at Kuala Tanjung Port. Through close collaboration with the Kuala Tanjung Port Authority (KSOP), Kuala Tanjung Customs, and other stakeholders, the ship was able to dock smoothly and safely," said Rudi Susanto, President Director of PT PMT, during the welcoming ceremony.
Rudi added that this achievement represents a strategic step for PMT in strengthening Kuala Tanjung's position as a competitive international port. "We are targeting more large vessels to operate here. This step reflects our commitment to continuously improving the capacity and quality of services at Kuala Tanjung," he continued.
"In the future, various commodities such as vegetable oil, chemical products, and industrial consumer goods from the Kuala Tanjung hinterland will be transported by international container ships," said Rudi.
MSC Group Managing Director Renaud Durteste explained that international shipments from Kuala Tanjung to Singapore will be carried out routinely four times a month or once a week (weekly call).
"We are committed to continuing to serve this route regularly. With a vessel capacity of over 2,000 TEUs, we are opening opportunities for other industry players in North Sumatra to utilize the available cargo space," he said.
Durteste also assessed that Kuala Tanjung has great potential because of its location close to the industrial center and special economic zone (KEK) Sei Mangkei and Kuala Tanjung Industrial Area. According to him, the collaboration with PT PMT is part of MSC's efforts to expand its shipping reach in Indonesia, especially because Kuala Tanjung is close to production centers such as the Sei Mangkei SEZ and Kuala Tanjung Industrial Area, thus opening up opportunities for regular shipments of value-added commodities. The welcoming ceremony for the maiden ship took place at the PMT Kuala Tanjung pier and was attended by various parties, including representatives of the Kuala Tanjung Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), the Kuala Tanjung Customs Office,
Related associations and several cargo owners in the Kuala Tanjung hinterland and the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (SEZ). "With direct connectivity to Singapore, industry players now have a more efficient export route. This is not just an achievement for PMT, but the beginning of a regional logistics transformation," Rudi concluded.
With the regular launch of MSC's international shipping services, PMT affirms Kuala Tanjung's readiness to enter a new phase of growth in the global logistics chain. Continued collaboration between industry players, maritime authorities, and shipping partners is expected to boost export efficiency, expand market access, and enhance regional competitiveness. This first shipment reinforces optimism that Kuala Tanjung will continue to develop as a key hub for commodity movement from North Sumatra to various destination countries. ***
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom PMT).
