SEMARANG (ISL News) - National logistics flows continue to move in line with increasing Indonesian trade activity. This movement is reflected in the continued growth in export and import performance, with the national trade balance recording a surplus of USD 5.64 billion during January–April 2026. This achievement is a positive signal that national production, distribution, and trade activities are still operating amidst global economic dynamics.
According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesia's export value reached USD 92.15 billion from January to April 2026, representing a 5.48 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year. Non-oil and gas exports were the main contributor, valued at USD 87.74 billion.
This performance is inextricably linked to the contribution of the manufacturing sector, which continues to be the backbone of Indonesian exports. From January to April 2026, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded that the manufacturing sector contributed USD 75.57 billion to exports.
China remained the largest export destination during January–April 2026, with a value of USD 22.76 billion, followed by the United States at USD 10.17 billion and India at USD 6.14 billion. Meanwhile, exports to ASEAN and the European Union (27 countries) amounted to USD 17.70 billion and USD 6 billion, respectively.
Meanwhile, Central Java also contributed to national export performance with a value reaching USD 4.5 billion in the January–April 2026 period. The Chairperson of the Central Java DPD of the Indonesian Export Companies Association (GPEI), Ade Siti Muksodah, said that a number of commodities were the mainstay of regional exports, including wood products and derivatives from the Temanggung and Wonosobo regions, knitted products, and palm sugar or *brown sugar*.
However, export activities still face a number of challenges, ranging from rising logistics costs to the industry's heavy dependence on imported raw materials. These conditions also impact production costs and the competitiveness of export products.
"Around 70 percent of our raw materials are still imported from China and several other countries in East Asia. The price of some plastic raw materials has increased, which automatically affects our export trade," said the woman familiarly known as Ade when contacted on Wednesday (June 17, 2026).
Ade believes that increasing capacity and logistics services at Tanjung Emas Port is a crucial factor in supporting export activities. Facility improvements and the addition of operational equipment, particularly to support loading and unloading processes and container management, are considered capable of streamlining the flow of goods distribution.
"The role of Tanjung Emas Port is very significant. Economic and logistical flows begin at the port. The easiest and most fundamental route for exports and imports is by sea," said Ade.
A strengthening of the business climate is necessary to maintain investor confidence and expand access to export markets. Businesses still face several challenges, particularly high logistics costs, which are a factor hampering export competitiveness. Furthermore, global geopolitical dynamics, Export Proceeds (DHE) policies, and changes in taxation policies are also of concern to industry players, as they can impact business planning and trade activities.
International Container Flow Increases
Widyaswendra, Corporate Secretary of PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas, stated that there has been an increase in international container traffic at TPK Semarang. From January to May 2026, 382,093 TEUs were recorded, a 12.2 percent increase compared to the 340,535 TEUs recorded in the same period in 2025. Of this number, 192,829 TEUs were imported containers and 189,162 TEUs were export containers.
"The flow of imported containers at the Semarang Port grew 10.7 percent, while export containers grew 13.72 percent from the previous year," explained Widyaswendra.
The company stated that container traffic through the Semarang Port of Commerce (TPK) continues to grow in line with industrial development in Central Java. The company recorded 781,841 TEUs of container traffic through the Semarang Port of Commerce in 2023, 895,904 TEUs in 2024, and over 1 million TEUs in 2025.
In response to this growth, PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas has prepared several short- and long-term measures. These include adding 275 meters of dock moorings, expanding the stacking yard, and installing four quay container cranes (QCCs).
"Currently, the four new QCC units are in the commissioning and testing phase to ensure all operational and safety aspects are met. We aim to have the equipment operational soon to serve customers," he said.
Some export commodities passing through the Semarang TPK include wood products, clothing, footwear, processed seafood such as fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, among others. Imports include industrial machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles, and their parts.
Logistics and Technology Are Key
Semarang-based garment entrepreneur Deddy Mulyadi said Tanjung Emas Port plays a crucial role in supporting his company's exports to international markets, including the United States, Europe, and Asia.
However, according to Deddy, port capacity and services still need to be continuously improved to keep pace with industrial growth and increased freight volumes. The density of logistics flows sometimes leads to ship queues, impacting product delivery schedules to global markets.
"Tanjung Emas does help export activities. However, the movement of goods isn't as fast as at major ports like Jakarta or Surabaya. Sometimes there are still queues of ships," he said when contacted on Thursday (June 18, 2026).
Deddy hopes that port infrastructure development can continue, including improving transportation connectivity to the port area. He believes that smooth distribution access is a crucial factor in maintaining logistics efficiency and strengthening the competitiveness of Indonesian products in the global market.
Prof. Bhimo Rizky Samudro, an economist from Sebelas Maret University (UNS), believes the ongoing trade surplus demonstrates that Indonesian products remain competitive in the international market. This achievement is inextricably linked to the role of the manufacturing sector, which has long been the backbone of national exports.
"A trade surplus is a good sign because it shows that Indonesian products remain competitive in the international market. It also reflects that our manufacturing sector remains a driver of national exports," he said.
Export growth demonstrates the manufacturing industry's continued ability to maintain productivity and competitiveness amid global economic uncertainty. However, dependence on imported raw materials remains a challenge, limiting the added value of the national industry.
Conversely, the increase in imports of raw materials and capital goods reflects the continued activity of domestic industrial production and investment.
Bhimo believes that the future of Indonesian trade will be determined not only by the industry's ability to produce quality products, but also by the efficiency of the national logistics system. As an archipelagic nation, Indonesia requires distribution connectivity that can quickly and efficiently connect production centers with domestic and global markets.
"Container ports are strategic infrastructure for Indonesian trade. When ports operate efficiently, goods distribution is faster and the competitiveness of national products increases," he explained when contacted on Thursday (June 18, 2026).
Strengthening logistics involves not only infrastructure development but also digital transformation to accelerate distribution, improve service accuracy, and reduce operational costs. Supporting technology development is also necessary to maintain product quality all the way to the destination market.
A sustained trade surplus is a positive sign for the national economy. However, maintaining this momentum requires strengthening the industrial, trade, and logistics sectors through increased port capacity, distribution efficiency, and technology utilization.
With its strategic position along global trade routes and supported by a large domestic market, Indonesia has the opportunity to strengthen its role as a trade and logistics hub in the Asian region. Industrial growth, increased exports, and an increasingly efficient logistics system will be key drivers of sustainable economic growth.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom Pelindo Terminal Petikermas).
