BENGKULU INDONESIA (ISL News) - Bengkulu's Pulau Baai Port plays a strategic role as a logistics and trade gateway, supporting the distribution of superior regional commodities and industrial activity in Bengkulu Province. This commitment is realized through optimizing liquid bulk cargo services to support the smooth supply chain of the downstream palm oil industry and stimulate regional economic growth.
As a non-container terminal operator at Pulau Baai Port, PT Pelabuhan Tanjung Priok (PTP Nonpetikemas), part of the Pelindo Group, continues to optimize port services to support the smooth flow of goods, including liquid bulk commodities. One form of this support is demonstrated through Liquid Bulk activities with Drop Tank services. This activity involves loading 3,500 tons of Olein commodities using the MT. Bangun Rejo vessel bound for Central Java. This liquid bulk activity using the drop tank method has been carried out by PTP Nonpetikemas at the Nusantara Luar Lama Pier since June 8, 2026.
The loading process uses a drop tank system, a method of handling liquid bulk cargo that allows cargo from trucks to be stored in transit tanks before being pumped onto ships. This method is implemented to improve operational efficiency, speed up the loading process, and maintain the safety and quality of the cargo throughout the operation.
PTP Non-container Branch Manager, Bengkulu Branch, Mochammad Choiron Yusuf, said that the implementation of the drop tank system is part of the company's efforts to improve the quality of service for service users, operational speed and efficiency of logistics costs as well as safety in handling liquid bulk cargo.
"The loading of 3,500 tons of Olein demonstrates the readiness of Pulau Baai Port to serve liquid bulk commodities more effectively, efficiently and safely. This is the second service carried out by PTP Non-container Bengkulu Branch after the first service in early May. The implementation of this system is able to improve operational performance as reflected in the productivity achievement of Ton/Gang/Hour (T/G/H) of 84 tons per hour, exceeding the target of 63 tons per hour set by the Director General of Sea Transportation, Ministry of Transportation. With this Drop Tank service, productivity is shown to be up to two times higher than conventional methods which achieve 40 tons per hour, said Choiron, ".
According to him, this activity reflects the growing role of Pulau Baai Port in supporting the distribution of Bengkulu's leading commodities to various regions in Indonesia. Furthermore, the implementation of this system has optimized operational processes more effectively and efficiently while prioritizing safety, security, and environmental protection.
Olein is a palm oil derivative widely used as a raw material in the food industry, cooking oil, and various other manufactured products. The smooth distribution of this commodity plays a crucial role in supporting industrial activity and the national supply chain.
Meanwhile, General Manager of Pelindo Regional 2 Bengkulu, Dimas Rizky Kusmayadi, said that this Olein loading activity is one indicator of the increasing utilization of Pulau Baai Port in supporting the distribution of the region's superior commodities.
"Baai Island Port plays a strategic role as a gateway for trade and logistics in Bengkulu Province. As efforts to normalize shipping routes continue, we are optimistic that port capacity and activity on Baai Island will increase. This opens up greater opportunities for growth in the flow of goods, improved logistics connectivity, and the development of the industrial and trade sectors in Bengkulu," said Dimas.
According to Dimas, Pelindo, together with all entities within the Pelindo Group, including PTP Nonpetikemas, continues to collaborate to improve service reliability and port infrastructure readiness to accommodate the ever-growing logistics needs.
"Pulau Baai Port is a key logistics gateway supporting the trade flow and distribution of Bengkulu's leading commodities. Moving forward, we will continue to improve our service quality, operational readiness, and facilities for liquid bulk, dry bulk, and general cargo services to accommodate the growing flow of goods from the plantation, mining, and other industrial sectors. With the support of all stakeholders, Pulau Baai Port is expected to increasingly play a role as a competitive logistics and trade hub, supporting the distribution of commodities to domestic and international markets, and making a real contribution to regional economic growth and strengthening national logistics connectivity," said Dimas.
SM Corporate Secretary of PTP Non-container, Fiona Sari Utami, added that the implementation of this drop tank service is part of the company's innovation and strategy program which was previously implemented at Pangkal Balam Port, and this is the second branch to implement it, namely Bengkulu Port.
Performance of PTP Non-Container Bengkulu Branch
In addition to increasing operational productivity, PTP Nonpetikemas also continues to encourage the implementation of HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, and Environment) standards in all loading and unloading activities. PTP Nonpetikemas Bengkulu Branch recorded a throughput realization of 1.02 million tons/m3 as of May 2026. This achievement grew 3.88% compared to the same period the previous year of 983.7 thousand tons/m3, supported by growth in several commodities that support operational activities in the Bengkulu region.
Liquid bulk packaging delivered outstanding performance, recording 212.7 thousand tons, a 93.97% increase compared to 122 thousand tons in the same period last year. In addition to strong growth, this segment also exceeded the Company's Budget (RKAP) target by 174.38%, reflecting the high level of service activity in this commodity.
Positive growth was also recorded in bag cargo packaging, with 33.5 thousand tons produced, a 79% increase compared to 18.7 thousand tons in May 2025. This achievement also exceeded the target, reaching 116.72%, demonstrating strengthening service performance in this segment.
Meanwhile, dry bulk packaging remains the largest contributor to the total throughput of the Bengkulu Branch, with realization reaching 774.7 thousand tons as of May 2026 and continues to play a vital role in supporting smooth distribution and logistics activities in the operational area.
As a key hub in West Sumatra, Bengkulu plays a strategic role in supporting the national logistics chain, particularly for dry bulk commodities such as coal, clinker, limestone, and shells. Furthermore, the Bengkulu Branch of PTP Non-Container also handles liquid bulk cargo such as crude palm oil (CPO) and asphalt, as well as general cargo such as heavy equipment, construction materials, bag cargo, and containers.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom PTP Non-container).
