SURABAYA (ISL News) - National container traffic continued to show a positive trend in the first half of 2026. PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas recorded throughput reaching 6.63 million TEUs, a 5.51 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This increase was driven by the expansion of shipping services through the opening of new routes, additional ship calls (extra calls), and increased trading activity.
Widyaswendra, Corporate Secretary of PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas, stated that growth occurred in both domestic and international containers. International container traffic reached 2.27 million TEUs, representing a 9.13% increase, while domestic traffic reached 4.36 million TEUs, representing a 3.72% increase. In terms of international trade, imports reached 1.11 million TEUs (an 11.67% increase), and exports reached 1.13 million TEUs (a 6.70% increase). These figures indicate that Indonesia's trade activity remains positive amidst global economic uncertainty.
"This growth is driven by increased shipping activity, the opening of new services, additional ship visits, direct international calls in the Eastern Indonesia region, and the increasing need for logistics to support the National Strategic Projects (PSN)," said Widyaswendra, Monday (27/07/2026).
In addition, terminal modernization, increased connectivity between ports, and strengthened services are important factors in maintaining the smooth operation of the national supply chain while increasing Indonesia's logistics competitiveness.
Harry Sutanto, Deputy Chairman for Maritime and Port Affairs of the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI), assessed that the growth in container traffic is a crucial indicator of the national economic condition. This growth demonstrates the resilience of the national economy amidst global uncertainty. Although exports have decreased compared to imports, this still has a positive impact, as approximately 78 percent of imports are raw materials and machinery needed by the manufacturing industry.
"If imports increase, around 78 percent of them will be raw materials and machinery. This means the economic outlook, especially in the manufacturing sector, is still growing," he said when contacted on Thursday (July 23, 2026).
Increased trade activity has also driven the opening of shipping services and increased ship calls at several ports. One port that recorded significant growth was Panjang Port in Lampung, with a 17.4 percent increase in container traffic. "Almost all ports showed positive growth, although not by the same magnitude. In Sumatra, for example, Panjang Port experienced significant growth. Pelindo ports alone account for approximately 90 percent of national trade activity," he said.
Harry assessed that shipping companies are still cautious about opening new routes. Service openings are carried out after considering cargo availability to ensure sustainable operations.
"Shipping companies are very careful when opening new routes. They must ensure cargo availability and sustainability before deciding to launch regular services," he said.
Harry also warned that the international shipping sector still faces pressure due to geopolitical conflicts. Changes in shipping routes have increased sea freight costs, particularly on the Asia-Europe route, which has seen freight rates rise by around 30–70 percent. The weakening rupiah against the US dollar also poses a challenge, increasing import costs.
Positive Indicators
Carmelita Hartoto, Chairwoman of the Indonesian National Shipowners' Association (INSA), assessed that the growth in container traffic in the first half of 2026 is a positive indicator for the national economy.
"The growth in national container traffic in the first half of 2026 is a positive sign for our (Indonesian) economy. This is certainly a positive signal that economic growth and the flow of goods through ports remain stable, despite global economic pressures," Carmelita said when contacted on Thursday (July 23, 2026).
Carmelita hopes this trend can be maintained through strengthening the national logistics ecosystem, starting with increasing port efficiency, interregional connectivity, and smooth shipping operations.
"We hope this can be maintained by maintaining a positive business climate within the national logistics ecosystem, such as port efficiency, improving national connectivity, smooth shipping operations, and other initiatives. This will ensure sustainable growth," she concluded.
Raja Oloan Saut Gurning, a maritime logistics expert from the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya, believes the increase in container throughput is a logical consequence of increased economic and trade activity.
"The sequence starts with national economic growth. When the economy grows, overall trade interactions also increase. From there, seaborne trade grows, followed by increased maritime economic activity, including logistics and shipping, ultimately driving demand for container terminal services," he explained when contacted on Wednesday (July 22, 2026).
According to Saut Gurning, the maritime industry has a concept called "ships follow the trade," meaning shipping activity evolves in line with trade growth. "In the maritime industry, there's a term called 'ships follow the trade.' So, ships and container terminal activity follow trade growth. Trade itself is a derivative of economic growth. That's the sequence," he explained.
He explained that various empirical studies have shown that growth in container throughput has a multiplier effect on economic activity. However, the magnitude of this effect is still influenced by the quality of the national logistics system. This does not include other obstacles, such as limited infrastructure, intermodal connectivity, distribution bottlenecks, regulations, and customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ) processes.
Quality of Service
Improving Indonesia's trade competitiveness depends heavily on the quality of container terminal services. Reliable container terminal service performance will make maritime logistics costs more efficient. As logistics costs decrease, trade competitiveness improves, trade volumes increase, and ultimately, users will choose these terminals more favorably.
Meanwhile, public policy observer Agus Pambagio explained that container lines are one of the backbones of logistics, both for domestic distribution and export and import activities. However, he cautioned that several challenges remain, such as imbalances in container flows between regions, limited port capacity, and shallowing of shipping lanes, which can reduce the efficiency of goods distribution.
"If shipping lanes become shallow, ships cannot operate optimally. Ships end up reducing their loads to ensure safe sailing, reducing carrying capacity and making goods distribution less efficient," he said when contacted on Wednesday (July 22, 2026).
According to him, ongoing dredging of shipping channels, modernization of facilities, and investment in loading and unloading equipment are necessary to increase terminal productivity. Investment in loading and unloading equipment, modernization of facilities, and increased port capacity are necessary to improve terminal productivity.
He also encouraged the accelerated development of international transshipment ports to reduce Indonesia's dependence on ports from other countries. "Currently, some international container flows still have to pass through ports in neighboring countries before reaching their final destination. If Indonesia has a strong transshipment port, logistics efficiency will increase and added value can be enjoyed domestically," he said.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom PT Pelinto Terminal Petikemas/email:redaksiislnewstv@gmail.com).
