SURABAYA (ISL News, 05/03/2026) - National logistics flows show an increasing trend ahead of Eid 2026. Logistics business players have begun implementing special strategies to ensure smooth logistics flows.
The increase in logistics flows ahead of Eid al-Fitr is particularly evident in Central and East Java. Teguh Arif Handoko, Chairman of the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI/ILFA) for Central Java-Yogyakarta, stated that cargo volumes have increased by around 130 percent.
At Tanjung Emas Port, the increase in cargo has increased container turnover, which typically averages around 2,800 units per day, to 3,000 units per day. In addition to the Eid al-Fitr holiday, ALFI Central Java highlighted the growing trend in logistics activity, also driven by numerous industrial investments in Central Java, such as in the Kendal Industrial Estate (KIK) and the Batang Integrated Industrial Estate (KITB), which have boosted throughput at Tanjung Emas Port.
"In 2023, it will be around 700,000 TEUs, in 2024 it will increase to 800,000 TEUs, and in 2025 it will have reached 1 million TEUs. This is significant, even though only around 20 percent of companies in the KIK and KITB industrial areas are in production and operating," said Teguh when met at his office on Tuesday (03/03/2026).
Special Strategy
The heavy logistics flow ahead of Eid al-Fitr has prompted ALFI East Java (Jatim) to develop special strategies. One such strategy involves shifting export storage to temporarily accommodate imports at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya.
Ketua ALFI Jatim, Sebastian Wibisono, saat dihubungi, Selasa (03/03/2026), mengatakan menjelang Lebaran lonjakan arus logistik memang tidak bisa dihindari. Dia memprediksi volume arus logistik Lebaran bakal meningkat 80 persen. Apalagi Surabaya selama ini kerap menjadi jalur transit ke wilayah Timur. Aktivitas bongkar muat di Pelabuhan Tanjung Perak diperkirakan Kembali normal setelah April.
"Kebetulan Nataru, Imlek dan Idulfitri waktunya bersamaan, sehingga load-nya memang tinggi. Pas Imlek banyak impor turun ke sini, terus didistribusikan ke wilayah seperti Kalimantan Barat dan Kalimantan Selatan," papar Wibi, sapaan akrabnya.
Untuk mengantisipasi penumpukan, ALFI Jatim menerapkan strategi pengalihan lokasi. Gudang yang biasanya digunakan untuk ekspor bakal dimanfaatkan sementara untuk menampung barang impor. Semua itu dilakukan setelah koordinasi dan izin Bea Cukai agar arus logistik tetap lancar.
"Setiap tahun selalu ada migrasi antarterminal, terutama untuk kontainer ekspor-impor. Di sini ada dua terminal utama, Terminal Teluk Lamong dan Terminal Petikemas Surabaya," ujar dia.
Wibi membeberkan lonjakan arus logistik tahun lalu mencapai 103 persen. Namun, masih bisa diantisipasi dengan memindahkan kontainer ke storage domestik maupun depo yang beroperasi selama 24 jam tanpa henti.
Lebih jauh, dia menilai pelabuhan-pelabuhan seperti Tanjung Mas dan Tanjung Perak perlu peningkatan infrastruktur seperti diperluas lahannya agar penyandaran kapal bisa lebih banyak.
Hal serupa juga menjadi perhatian ALFI Jateng. Teguh menekankan pentingnya perbaikan infrastruktur secara menyeluruh, termasuk fasilitas akses jalan dan depo kontainer agar operasional logistik di Pelabuhan Tanjung Emas lebih lancar.
ALFI Jateng menyoroti peran pemerintah provinsi dalam mendukung investasi tidak hanya dari sisi penanaman modal, tetapi juga memastikan manajemen rantai pasok yang perlu diperhatikan. Langkah ini semata-mata menciptakan alur bongkar muat yang terkontrol, mengurangi antrean kontainer dan barang keluar masuk pelabuhan tanpa hambatan.
"Jangan hanya memberikan suatu kemudahan investasi tanpa memikirkan manajemen supply chain. Jangan sampai investor bingung saat mengirim barang setelah produksi selesai," tandasnya.
Mengantisipasi peningkatan arus logistik jelang lebaran 2026, PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas mengaku telah melakukan persiapan di sejumlah terminal yang dikelola. Corporate Secretary PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas Widyaswendra mengatakan dengan sistem operasi terminal yang digunakan saat ini pihaknya dapat merencanakan pelayanan bongkar muat kapal peti kemas sejak jauh-jauh hari. Terminal dapat memprediksi tingkat kepadatan tambatan di dermaga (berth occupancy ratio) juga tingkat kepadatan lapangan penumpukan peti kemas (yard occupancy ratio).
"We've been taking precautions from the start, especially with regard to the stacking yard, to optimize container handling, as these containers will be in the terminal for approximately 16 days due to restrictions on freight transport," Widyaswendra said.
Terminal management, along with stakeholders, is also preparing an overbrengen (relocation of the stacking location) to ease congestion within the terminal area. This step is being taken to ensure smooth loading and unloading operations within the container terminal.
During the Eid al-Fitr holiday, container terminal operations are expected to remain fully operational 24/7. Service activities will continue according to schedules and plans.
"We urge service users to utilize the terminal booking system to minimize congestion and traffic jams on the roads when delivering or picking up containers before and after the Eid al-Fitr holiday," he said.
Increased Trade
Frans Kongi, Chairman of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Central Java branch, assessed the increase in export-import activity at Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang as a sign of improving economic activity. Loading and unloading volumes increased in line with increased public consumption during Chinese New Year and continuing in the lead-up to Eid al-Fitr.
According to him, the volume of loading and unloading is estimated to increase by around 20 percent compared to normal days. In fact, approximately 10 days before Eid, the spike in loading and unloading activity could reach around 25 percent.
"Since December, there has been an increase in loading and unloading activity there. This will continue to increase as Eid approaches, with an increase of around 25 percent compared to normal days," said Frans.
According to Frans, the commodities dominating the increase in goods flow are seasonal consumer goods, ranging from food to fashion products and other Eid al-Fitr supplies. This has had a positive impact on MSMEs and retailers, as money flows more quickly.
So far, Frans has not received any reports from Apindo Central Java members regarding queues due to backlogs in loading and unloading activities. He assessed that port operations are relatively smooth, as Pelindo Terminal Petikemas has experience handling such increased cargo flows.
Frans predicts that economic growth in Central Java will show a positive trend until the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday. Domestic consumption is the main driver driving economic growth.
He even estimated that the economic growth rate would approach 5.7 percent or higher compared to normal days which range from 5.1 to 5.2 percent.
"The economic situation after Eid al-Fitr remains a big question mark. In the current situation, geopolitical factors and President Trump's tariff policies make the future uncertain," he stressed.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom SPTP).
