SURABAYA INDONESIA (ISL News, 10/02/2026) – Port service terminal operator PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas (SPTP) is looking optimistically towards 2026. This subholding of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) has set a target of 13.77 million TEUs of container throughput across its terminals in 2026. This target reflects a growth of around 5 percent compared to the previous year's achievement, while also jumping up to 10 percent compared to the 2024 realization of 12.48 million TEUs.
Widyaswendra, Corporate Secretary of PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas, stated that this optimism is driven by the solid performance of the national economy and increasing industrial activity in various regions. Indonesia's economic growth of 5.11 percent in 2025 is one of the main indicators.
"We are optimistic about the industrial boom in various regions. National economic growth is the main fuel for us to achieve this target," said Widyaswendra in Surabaya on Tuesday (February 10, 2026).
Several terminals are projected to drive growth in container traffic. In Sulawesi, the Kendari Container Terminal is being boosted by rising nickel exports. In North Kalimantan, the Tarakan Container Terminal is poised to capture the logistics potential of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Meanwhile, in eastern Indonesia, the Merauke Container Terminal is recording an increase in cargo traffic due to massive logistical support for the National Strategic Project (PSN).
For Java Island, the Semarang Container Terminal is predicted to become busier in line with the development of the Batang Integrated Industrial Estate (KITB) and the Kendal Industrial Estate (KIK), which will encourage export-import activities in the manufacturing sector.
On the other hand, PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas recorded the flow of foreign containers in 2025 at 4.40 million TEUs or an increase of 10.28 percent compared to the 2024 period. This number consists of imported containers of 2.12 million TEUs, export containers of 2.25 million TEUs and transhipment containers of 30 thousand TEUs.
"To support the achievement of the 2026 target, a number of container terminals we manage will be equipped with new loading and unloading equipment with the aim of improving the quality of container services for our customers," Widyaswendra said.
Logistics Chain Driver
The Chairman of the Indonesian Export Companies Association (GPEI), Benny Soetrisno, estimates that Indonesian exports will grow by around 7 percent in 2026. One of the main triggers is the increasing number of free trade agreements (FTAs) established with partner countries.
"The FTA opens broader market access and lowers tariff barriers, making Indonesian exports more competitive," Benny explained. In other words, this policy not only boosts export volume but also strengthens Indonesia's position in global trade.
Meanwhile, the logistics sector is predicted to outpace economic growth. Trismawan Sanjaya, Secretary General of the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI), estimates that the transportation and warehousing sector will grow between 10 and 11.6 percent, contributing Rp 1,700 trillion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to Trismawan, this surge is largely driven by the explosion in digital trade and e-commerce transactions. Food security projects and other government initiatives are also expected to drive demand for logistics services.
"Several domestic factors are contributing to the growth of logistics, including the rapid growth of e-commerce transactions through social media, industrial downstreaming projects, and government programs such as Free Nutritious Meals and the Red and White Cooperative," Trismawan explained.
Lukman Hakim, an academic from the Faculty of Economics and Business at Sebelas Maret University (FEB UNS) Solo, believes that Indonesia's exports still have the potential to grow in 2026, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
"Our exports have been supported by manufacturing, such as footwear and textiles, although textiles aren't as strong as they once were. With the weakening exchange rate, our products have become more competitive in the global market," he said.
According to Lukman, tariffs and import fees remain a challenge in some countries, but they don't apply to all products. He believes export opportunities to the Middle East and Africa remain wide open, provided the government can properly map the market.
"Market mapping is key to determining the direction of export goals," he said.
Furthermore, support for business actors is also considered crucial, ranging from streamlined licensing and tax policies to access to financing. From a logistical perspective, the presence of ports capable of accommodating large vessels will facilitate more efficient container flow, eliminating the need for transit in other countries.
By strengthening infrastructure, modernizing equipment, and supporting national export flows, PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas goes beyond simply managing loading and unloading. It goes beyond that, assuming a strategic role as a driver of the logistics chain and supporting optimism for Indonesia's future economic growth.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom SPTP).
