BATANG, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA (ISL News) - PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) together with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), PT Kawasan Industri Terpadu Batang (KITB), PT Sarana Pembangunan Jawa Tengah (Perseroda), and Perumda Aneka Usaha Batang Regency officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the development of a Dry Port in the Batang Integrated Industrial Estate (KITB), Tuesday, (21/04). This signing is a strategic step in strengthening the national logistics ecosystem, especially in the Batang industrial area.
This collaboration aims to encourage the development of an integrated, efficient, and highly competitive logistics system, while also addressing the need for connectivity between industrial areas and ports and the national distribution network. The development of this rail-based dry port will serve as a logistics backbone, connecting industrial areas with seaports more effectively and sustainably.
The Batang Industrial DryPort is designed to serve as an export-import gateway for industrial tenants and a regional logistics consolidation center. This facility is expected to reduce national logistics costs and significantly shorten distribution times through the integration of rail-based transportation modes and port networks.
The dryport development will be built on approximately 30 hectares of land with an initial capacity of 600,000 to 650,000 TEUs per year, potentially increasing to 1 million TEUs as the region grows. This facility will strengthen logistics connectivity in Central Java and support domestic and global trade networks.
This cross-sector collaboration between state-owned enterprises, local governments, and industrial estate managers demonstrates a concrete synergy in promoting national logistics integration. Strengthening rail-based connectivity directly to ports is considered a strategic solution to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce national logistics costs.
Ali Murtopo Simbolon , Deputy for Coordination of Commerce and Digital Economy at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration in developing this dry port. He emphasized that this initiative is an important first step in strengthening the national logistics system.
"Strengthening rail-based connectivity and integration with ports is key to lowering national logistics costs. Initiatives like the Batang Industropolis are concrete examples of how collaboration can deliver real solutions for Indonesia's economic efficiency and competitiveness," he said.
He also hopes that the dry port development will proceed as planned and become a model for integrated logistics development in various other industrial areas in Indonesia.
PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) President Director Achmad Muchtasyar stated that the dryport development will extend port services, bringing logistics processes closer to industrial areas. This is believed to improve operational efficiency, accelerate the flow of goods, and strengthen connectivity with the global port network.
"We have prepared Batang Port as a support and logistics gateway at KITB. This dry port will strengthen port services and provide fast and efficient logistics connectivity," said Achmad Muchtasyar.
Meanwhile, President Director of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Bobby Rasyidin emphasized his commitment to providing reliable and sustainable rail-based freight transportation services, which are expected to be a game changer in the national logistics distribution system.
The development of this dry port will be carried out in stages, starting from the planning and feasibility study stage in 2026, followed by infrastructure development in the 2027–2028 period, and then to the operational stage and further development according to market needs.
Through this strategic collaboration, the parties are committed to boosting the competitiveness of the national industry, strengthening Indonesia's position in the global supply chain, and creating a more efficient, integrated, and sustainable logistics system.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Pelindo Regional 3 Public Relations).
