BATU BARAT NORTH SUMATRA (ISL News) - Efforts to establish Kuala Tanjung Port as an international logistics hub on the east coast of Sumatra are beginning to show new developments. PT Prima Multi Terminal (PMT) is for the first time serving direct international shipping services from French global shipping company CMA CGM through its subsidiary CNC, with the BBX3 CNC service connecting Kuala Tanjung with several major ports in Southeast Asia and South China.
The MV CMA CGM FUJI docked at Kuala Tanjung pier on Monday (May 11, 2026). The 185-meter-long vessel, with a capacity of 25,283 gross tons, carried approximately 250 TEUs of containers on its maiden voyage from Kuala Tanjung.
The service serves the Kuala Tanjung–Singapore–Port Klang–Da Nang–Nghi Son–Haiphong–Nansha–Shekou–Chittagong route before returning to Kuala Tanjung. This direct shipping route is seen as opening up a new logistics distribution alternative for industrial areas and exporters in North Sumatra, who have previously relied on transshipment ports outside the region.
PT PMT Operations and Engineering Director Wahyudi said the entry of BBX3 CNC services is an important momentum for the development of Kuala Tanjung as an international hub port in the Strait of Malacca.
"The arrival of the CMA CGM FUJI is not just a maiden voyage, but an indicator that Kuala Tanjung is starting to be recognized in the global shipping network. Until now, much of the flow of goods from North Sumatra had to pass through other ports before entering the international network. With this direct call, the distribution chain is shortened, shipping times are more efficient, and logistics costs have the potential to be reduced," Wahyudi said during the ship's welcoming ceremony.
According to him, PMT is currently strengthening operational readiness to support the increase in international container flows, starting from efficiency in ship berthing time (port stay), cargo stay time (cargo stay), and accelerated dwelling time.
"We want to ensure Kuala Tanjung is able to provide competitive service standards compared to other international ports in the Southeast Asian region. Going forward, we are targeting more large-capacity vessels to make direct calls to Kuala Tanjung. This is crucial to strengthening North Sumatra's position in the global supply chain," he said.
He added that Kuala Tanjung Port is strategically located on the international shipping lane of the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest trade routes. According to Wahyudi, this potential must be optimized to provide industrial areas in the hinterland of North Sumatra with more efficient logistics access to export markets.
CMA CGM Indonesia President Director Ikram Ghazali said the BBX3 service will operate bi-weekly and is focused on strengthening trade connectivity from North Sumatra to Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South China.
"We are proud to be the first shipping line to offer direct calls connecting Kuala Tanjung with strategic markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Southern China through our BBX3 service. This achievement reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening an efficient and resilient supply chain, and supporting economic growth through a more connected maritime network in Indonesia," said Ikram.
According to him, the service also opens wider access for industrial areas around Kuala Tanjung, including the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (SEZ), to connect directly to CMA CGM's global logistics network without being fully dependent on major hub ports.
The presence of international direct calls is considered crucial amid the government's efforts to reduce national logistics costs, which remain relatively high compared to those of neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Based on various studies of the national logistics industry, port connectivity and distribution chain efficiency are key factors in increasing Indonesia's export competitiveness.
The welcoming ceremony for the maiden voyage of the CMA CGM FUJI was also attended by representatives of the Kuala Tanjung Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP), Kuala Tanjung Customs, Pelindo Group, shipping associations, as well as a number of goods owners and industry players in the Kuala Tanjung hinterland and Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zones.
For PMT, the entry of CMA CGM signals Kuala Tanjung's transition into a new phase as an international logistics gateway in western Indonesia. The port is expected to serve not only as a domestic loading and unloading point but also as a distribution hub for exports and imports, integrated with global trade networks.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom PMT).
