SURABAYA (ISL News) - Increasing container port capacity requires strengthening landside logistics hubs. This is necessary to ensure that accelerated loading and unloading does not shift bottlenecks to the next part of the distribution chain.
Prof. Kuncoro Harto Widodo, a researcher at the UGM Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies, stated that the growth in container traffic needs to be balanced with strengthening all nodes within the logistics ecosystem. He believes that improving logistics services depends not only on physical infrastructure but also on data integration, human resource capacity, and regulatory support.
The logistics and supply chain management expert stated that national container traffic volume has experienced positive growth over the past five years. This situation makes strengthening capacity and connectivity between nodes increasingly important. "Obstacles at one node will impact other nodes," he said when contacted on Friday (September 11, 2026).
Therefore, Kuncoro is pushing for data integration between terminals, shipping companies, depots, trucking, industrial areas, and the government. The utilization of the National Logistics Ecosystem (NLE) also needs to be continuously optimized so that information movement can follow or even precede the movement of goods.
"The ideal is that the flow of information should be constant, even if possible, ahead of the flow of goods," he said.
In addition to information system integration, Kuncoro believes the development of rail-based freight transportation needs to be strengthened as an alternative distribution route to ports. This mode of transportation can also support efforts to manage over-dimension, over-load (ODOL) vehicles on land routes.
Wahyono Bimarso, a port and logistics practitioner from the Trisakti Institute of Transportation and Logistics (ITL), also expressed his views on the importance of interconnectedness. According to him, Indonesia's container terminal capacity has essentially improved and meets international standards. However, increased productivity within the terminal will not have a maximum impact if it is not accompanied by improved facility readiness after containers leave the port.
"Our container terminals actually already meet international standards. The main problem arises after containers leave the port. Loading and unloading speeds will not have a maximum impact if depots, warehouses, roads, and landside distribution systems don't develop at the same pace," Wahyono said when contacted on Wednesday (September 9, 2026).
The man, who is also the Head of the Marine Engineering Study Program at ITL Trisakti, cited the situation in Merauke as an example. Although port facilities are considered adequate, limited storage areas and warehouses behind the port remain a problem.
"The port is good, the equipment is complete, but there is no storage yard or warehouse behind the port," he said.
According to Wahyono, this situation indicates that increasing terminal capacity needs to be planned in conjunction with the readiness of other logistics nodes. Otherwise, queues and congestion could potentially shift from the terminal to depots, trucking, warehouses, and the road network.
Terminal Productivity
From a shipping perspective, increasing terminal capacity and productivity remains crucial to support ship operational efficiency. The Head of the Semarang branch of INSA, Hari Ratmoko, stated that current container terminal productivity is already quite good. However, increasing dock capacity and channel depth is still necessary to accommodate growing ship traffic.
"The smoother the loading and unloading process, the more efficient and effective the time, and the happier the shipping line. Docking times at Tanjung Emas Port are quick, unloading is quick, loading is quick, and ships can proceed to the next port on schedule," he said.
Increased productivity at the terminal must go hand in hand with the readiness of supporting facilities outside the terminal. In this context, container depots play a crucial role in maintaining a smooth supply chain.
"Container depots play a crucial role in the supply chain," he said. They not only serve as storage for empty containers but also act as a buffer when the port's storage yard begins to become congested.
Meanwhile, Supriyono, Head of the Tanjung Emas Port Branch of the Indonesian Port Association (Aptrindo), stated that conditions at the landside of Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang were relatively smooth at the beginning of the second semester of 2026. Truck traffic was no longer experiencing the congestion seen at the beginning of the year.
"Truck traffic at Tanjung Emas Port is now running smoothly. There are no longer any obstacles because the port yard conditions are not as congested as at the beginning of the year," he said on Thursday (September 10, 2026).
However, according to Supriyono, several issues still need to be addressed to maintain smooth operations. One example is changes in ship schedules, which can cause trucks to have to wait longer. Similarly, the implementation of the Terminal Booking System (TBS) can still be optimized to improve vehicle slot availability. Aptrindo is also pushing for 24-hour operation of the container depot in Semarang to allow for more flexible container movement and reduce vehicle queues.
This condition shows that the smooth operation of the terminal is not only determined by the capacity of the loading and unloading equipment, but also by the coordination of ship schedules, the availability of vehicle slots, and the readiness of facilities after the container leaves the terminal.
Challenges in the Eastern Region
Land hub readiness issues are occurring in eastern Indonesia. Puji Hermoko, Head of the Merauke Branch of PT Salam Pacific Indonesia Lines (SPIL), stated that the most pressing need in the region is for container depots outside the port area to act as buffer facilities.
"Containers must be able to exit, meaning there must be a backup depot outside because 100% of Merauke's depots are inside," he said when contacted on Sunday (6/9/2026).
According to Puji, limited storage space has resulted in increased logistics costs. SPIL has had to unload its cargo several times in Timika before joining other ships bound for Merauke. Besides increasing costs and lengthening the distribution chain, this situation also increases the risk to commodities, particularly food cargo.
"We hope that there will be policies from the regional and provincial governments so that we can set up depots abroad," he said.
The need to strengthen the logistics hub in Merauke is also a concern for the Merauke Terminal Terminal (TPK) management. TPK Merauke Terminal Head, Muhammad Rasul Irmadani, stated that his office is preparing to revitalize the 1.4-hectare stacking yard to increase container service capacity.
The revitalization includes infrastructure improvements, enhanced access, and the addition of loading and unloading equipment in the form of rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs). The work is currently under tender at the head office.
"The revitalization work will cover 1.4 hectares of land to be renovated. This will include strengthening, improving access, and constructing a route for the RTG (Regulated Gas Transfer) equipment. With the RTG, we hope to increase capacity," Rasul said when contacted on Wednesday (September 23, 2026).
In addition to revitalization, Rasul believes that the presence of a depot outside the port area is necessary to prevent stacking activities from burdening terminal operational space. However, its development still faces obstacles such as investment and road capacity.
"The depot is actually a second-line depot, and it should be outside the port. We hope shipping companies will build depots outside the port. However, there are several obstacles, ranging from investment requirements to obtaining government permits for outbound routes due to road capacity," he explained.
According to Rasul, the local government has offered a location for the depot development. He hopes the local government's support will expedite the provision of external depots and the development of the port area.
"If we want to develop, there's a Port Master Plan (RIP). This is being prepared for the short, medium, and long term. Its development also involves stakeholders, including the Port Operations Office (KSOP) and maritime transportation," Rasul explained.
The importance of continuous container flow is also evident at the New Makassar Terminal (TPK). Teguh Firdaus, Terminal Head of TPK New Makassar, stated that terminal operations have been running smoothly so far. TPK Makassar currently serves as a major distribution hub for eastern Indonesia.
"Makassar is a hub for Eastern Indonesia. It's the main distribution point for various commodities heading to eastern Indonesia," he explained when contacted on Monday (September 14, 2026).
Teguh stated that Pelindo is focused on maintaining the readiness of its infrastructure and loading and unloading equipment to ensure consistent terminal services. However, smooth distribution is not solely determined by loading and unloading activities at the dock. Container movement after leaving the terminal also needs to be monitored to prevent congestion at the next node.
"This is to ensure smooth container distribution. Smooth distribution depends not only on the speed of loading and unloading at the dock, but also on the continuity of container movement after they leave the ship and reach the shore," he said.
Teguh stated that the current capacity available in Makassar is still sufficient to support container circulation. To maintain this smooth flow, coordination between terminal operators, shipping lines, trucking companies, depot managers, and goods owners is crucial for a sustainable logistics chain.
Meanwhile, at the Ambon Port of Port (TPK), Pelindo is working to anticipate potential bottlenecks on the land side by strengthening coordination with stakeholders. Regular coordination and evaluations are conducted with stakeholders and service users to ensure the smooth flow of goods and logistics.
"Pelindo always coordinates and evaluates with several stakeholders and customers regarding the smooth flow of goods or logistics," said Terminal Head TPK Ambon, Yandi Sofyan Hadi, in a written statement, Monday (21/9/2026).
According to Yandi, one of the pressing infrastructure needs to keep pace with the growing flow of containers at the Ambon Port is equipment rejuvenation. This step is necessary to ensure the availability of reliable and operational equipment. Pelindo is also collaborating with the Ambon City Government to support the expansion of the stacking yard capacity to anticipate the growing flow of containers.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom Pelindo TPK).
