SURABAYA INDONESIA (ISL News) - Port operator PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas is optimistic that its 2025 container throughput target can be achieved, and even likely to increase. The company predicts this target will grow 5 percent compared to the 2024 target.
Widyaswendra, Corporate Secretary of PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas, stated that container throughput across all terminals from January to November 2025 reached 12.12 million TEUs. He predicted that by the end of the year, container throughput would reach 13.13 million TEUs, exceeding the 2024 figure of 12.48 million TEUs.
"We are optimistic that the 2025 target of 12.95 million TEUs can be achieved, with growth of approximately 5 percent compared to the 2024 realization," he said on Wednesday (10/12).
This increase in performance was driven by growth at several terminals managed by the company. One such terminal, the Pantoloan Terminal (TPK) in Central Sulawesi, saw a 52 percent increase in coconut shipments at the terminal in the third quarter of 2025. Another terminal, the Bumiharjo Terminal (TPK) in Central Kalimantan, also experienced growth driven by increased plywood exports to Korea and China.
TPK Teluk Bayur, West Sumatra, recorded a 20 percent growth in rubber commodities, 45 percent in perlite, and more than 100 percent in animal feed.
The number of ship calls and the addition of service routes also contribute to container traffic. At Teluk Lamong Terminal, for example, at least 26 ship calls were recorded from January to September 2025.
"Significant growth has occurred in the Semarang Industrial Estate (TPK), driven by increased industrial activity in several locations, including the Kendal Industrial Estate, Sayung Industrial Estate, and Batang Industrial Estate," Widyaswendra continued.
Container Flow Reflects National Economy
Senior economist at the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), Didik J. Rachbini, told leaders of international and domestic shipping companies that the growth of container traffic would closely match national economic growth. In the third quarter of 2025, the Indonesian economy grew 5.04 percent compared to the same period in 2024. According to Didik, to boost national economic growth, increased production activity through industrialization is necessary.
"Industry is a key factor in the national economy, especially manufacturing. Increased trade will lead to higher export values, increased job opportunities, and increased container traffic," he said.
Rachbini cited the nickel downstreaming program as an example, which is beginning to show results. Exports of nickel derivative products are expected to reach USD 33.9 billion in 2024, a significant increase from USD 3.3 billion in 2017.
Rachbini further stated that industry, investment, and exports to global markets are key to achieving growth towards 8 percent. Container flow is the logistics service. Without industrial dynamics, it is difficult to achieve the desired growth.
Agus Pambagio, Managing Partner of PH&H Public Policy Interest Group, stated that improvements to port infrastructure and other supporting facilities are necessary to enhance national competitiveness. He emphasized the importance of ports serving as transshipment hubs to better manage trade flows.
"Policies and regulations must also be aligned and support the investment climate. They must not conflict with each other. This can lead to poorly planned development. Don't just focus on having something and then not achieving its full potential," he concluded.
(Saiful/ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom SPTP).
