SURABAYA, INDONESIA (ISL News, April 22, 2026) – The global logistics industry is facing pressure from rising energy costs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions. Despite this situation, the performance of several domestic Container Terminals (TPK) actually showed a positive trend in the first quarter of 2026.
Data collected from PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas (SPTP) shows that 10 terminals were able to exceed the target until March 2026. The container terminals (TPK) are TPK Nilam which achieved the target of 118.24%, TPK Semarang 117.26%, TPK Sorong 109.02%, TPK Kendari 107.03%, TPK Teluk Lamong 105.1%, TPK Merauke 103.86%, TPK Surabaya 102.09%, TPK Jayapura 101.36%, TPK Makassar 100.75%, and IPC Terminal Petikemas 100.6%.
This achievement reflects the high loading and unloading activity and the increasing flow of goods distribution in each region, including eastern Indonesia.
At PT Salam Pacific Indonesia Lines (SPIL) in Merauke, for example, container throughput has increased by around 10 percent. Puji Harmoko, Head of the Merauke branch of PT Salam Pacific Indonesia Lines (SPIL), explained that the increase is in line with Merauke's designation as a National Strategic Project (PSN).
"This increase is in line with Merauke's designation as a National Strategic Project (PSN). Many construction materials and heavy equipment are coming in from Java," explained Puji Harmoko when contacted on Monday (April 20, 2026).
Furthermore, the commodities entering the Merauke TPK have also changed. "Commodities such as fruit, onions, and even plantation products are starting to arrive in greater quantities, opening up new economic potential for Indonesia's easternmost region," he said.
However, logistics growth alone is currently insufficient. Without the support of infrastructure, operational efficiency, and appropriate policies, the logistics burden has the potential to continue to burden businesses and the public.
Meanwhile, at the Sorong Port, container throughput was recorded at 16,131 TEUs, representing a 10 percent increase compared to the company's target of 14,616 TEUs by March 2026.
This increase was triggered by, among other things, the momentum of goods transportation during the Eid al-Fitr holiday period from February to March, as well as additional container flow from changes in the distribution pattern (transhipment) of PT SPIL ships which now go through Sorong Port.
TPK Sorong Terminal Head, Welta Selfie, attributed this growth to the terminal's transformation process. "Sorong Port, which previously operated conventionally, has now evolved into a more modern and standardized container terminal," she said.
Meanwhile, Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi, Senior Vice President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), believes global pressure is a catalyst for accelerating national logistics transformation. He believes that the integration of multimodal transportation and the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are key to improving supply chain efficiency and resilience.
"A multimodal transportation approach is no longer an option for strengthening the national logistics system, but rather a necessity for greater competitiveness and resilience. However, physical integration in infrastructure development alone is not enough; it must be supported by the use of technology, particularly AI," Yukki explained in a written statement on Tuesday (April 21, 2026).
Strengthening digital integration through platforms such as the National Logistics Ecosystem (NLE) is a strategic step in creating upstream-downstream visibility in the national supply chain.
"By combining the power of multimodal logistics, supply chain integration, and the use of AI, Indonesia has a significant opportunity to accelerate the transformation of national logistics. This is not only about lowering costs, but also increasing competitiveness and strengthening Indonesia's position in the global supply chain," said Yukki.
Economic Support
Professor Rossanto Dwi Handoyo, an economist at Airlangga University (UNAIR) Surabaya, stated that the logistics sector, particularly container ports, remains a key pillar of the national economy. This is due to Indonesia's nature as an archipelagic nation that relies heavily on maritime transportation.
"The majority of goods distributed, both domestically and internationally, are via sea routes. Ports are the main hubs driving the economy," he said on Tuesday (April 21, 2026). This role is becoming increasingly crucial due to limited air transport capacity and significantly higher costs, making it unreliable for large-scale distribution.
Rossanto views the growth in container throughput at several terminals as a positive sign for national economic activity, including in Eastern Indonesia. The increased throughput reflects a more active movement of goods, both for consumption and production.
Rossanto emphasized the importance of accelerating digitalization in the port and logistics sectors. The use of technology is considered capable of increasing efficiency, speeding up services, and reducing operational costs. "Digitalization will reduce waiting times, expedite loading and unloading processes, and increase transparency. This is crucial for competitiveness. Furthermore, logistics system integration is also considered crucial for real-time monitoring and better coordination of goods flows," he explained.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom SPTP).
