ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia’s ambition to become a strategic logistics hub in Asia is gaining momentum as PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero), or Pelindo, accelerates its transformation under the strategic direction of Danantara Indonesia.
The country’s largest port operator recorded a strong financial performance in the first half of 2026, with net profit reaching Rp2.57 trillion, an increase of 60.44 percent year-on-year.
The achievement reflects stronger port activity, operational efficiency, disciplined cost management, and the ongoing transformation of Indonesia’s maritime logistics ecosystem.
Pelindo’s container throughput reached 9.96 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by June 2026, growing around 7 percent compared with the same period last year.
The growth demonstrates that Indonesia’s trade and industrial activities remain resilient amid global economic uncertainty, supported by increasing movement of goods through its national port network.
“Pelindo’s profit growth is supported by higher revenue in line with operational performance growth and more disciplined management of operating costs,” Pelindo President Director Achmad Muchtasyar said.
Asia Trade Connectivity Drives Port Growth
Indonesia’s port performance has been closely linked with strengthening regional trade flows.
Until April 2026, Pelindo handled 6.42 million TEUs, compared with 5.99 million TEUs during the same period in 2025.
International container traffic became a major growth driver, expanding around 11 percent, with export activity increasing 10 percent and imports rising 12 percent.
Domestic container movement also recorded positive growth of around 4 percent, reflecting stronger distribution between Indonesia’s more than 17,000 islands.
The resilience of Indonesia’s trade network has been supported by strong regional integration, particularly with China and ASEAN.
Together, China and ASEAN account for approximately 46.2 percent of Indonesia’s exports and 56.5 percent of imports, creating a stable foundation for supply chain connectivity across Asia.
The increase in container flows was also supported by higher movement of manufactured goods, machinery, electrical equipment, chemical products, and industrial components.
The trend reflects continued investment expansion, manufacturing growth, and Indonesia’s downstream industrialization strategy.
Danantara Accelerates Corporate Transformation
The strong performance comes as Pelindo implements a major corporate transformation agenda under Danantara Indonesia’s strategic portfolio management.
One of the key initiatives is corporate streamlining, aimed at creating a more efficient organizational structure, improving governance, accelerating decision-making, and strengthening business focus.
“Corporate streamlining is designed to build more effective governance, accelerate decision-making, reduce duplication of functions, and enable each entity to focus on core businesses and value creation,” Achmad explained.
The transformation also includes operational standardization, digitalization of port services, productivity improvements at terminals, and optimization of planning and operational control.
Through these initiatives, Pelindo aims to build a more agile port ecosystem capable of responding to the growing demands of global trade.
Building Indonesia’s Maritime Logistics Backbone
Pelindo continues to strengthen its hub-and-spoke port network, integrating ports with industrial estates, logistics centers, and multimodal transportation systems.
Major ports such as Tanjung Priok in Jakarta, Tanjung Emas in Semarang, and Tanjung Perak in Surabaya remain key gateways for international trade.
Meanwhile, ports in eastern Indonesia are gaining greater importance as economic activity expands beyond Java.
Makassar Port recorded growth of around 7 percent, supported by agricultural commodities including rice, corn, and other food products from Sulawesi.
Tanjung Perak also experienced growth supported by connectivity services linking Surabaya with Makassar, Kendari, and Berau.
The expansion of domestic logistics networks demonstrates Indonesia’s effort to ensure that economic growth is distributed more evenly across regions.
Green and Smart Port Transformation
Beyond financial growth, Pelindo is positioning sustainability and technology as core pillars of its future strategy.
Four Pelindo-operated ports recently received the Green and Smart Port Initiatives (GSPI) ASRI 2026 award, recognizing achievements in digital innovation, operational efficiency, and environmental management.
The awarded facilities include Pelindo Multi Terminal Branch Tanjung Intan Cilacap, Pelindo Terminal Petikemas TPK Banjarmasin, Pelindo Terminal Petikemas TPK Bitung, and Indonesia Kendaraan Terminal Tbk.
The recognition highlights Pelindo’s commitment to implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles while reducing emissions and improving operational performance.
“Green and Smart Port is not only about technology, but also about creating more efficient, safer, and environmentally responsible port operations,” Achmad said.
Pelindo plans to expand green port practices across its operational network, including renewable energy adoption, digital systems, emission reduction programs, and smarter logistics management.
Indonesia Prepares for Future Global Trade Growth
The Indonesian government is simultaneously strengthening national port infrastructure through terminal expansion, shipping channel improvements, increased cargo capacity, modernization of handling equipment, and accelerated digital services.
Between 2025 and 2026, port infrastructure development and rehabilitation were carried out at 74 locations across Indonesia.
These investments are designed to strengthen logistics connectivity, support industrial downstreaming, and improve Indonesia’s position in regional supply chains.
As global trade increasingly shifts toward integrated Asian networks, Indonesia’s ports are expected to play a larger role as a bridge connecting manufacturing centers, resource industries, and consumer markets.
With Danantara’s strategic direction, stronger financial performance, and a growing commitment to sustainable maritime infrastructure, Pelindo’s transformation marks a significant milestone in Indonesia’s journey toward becoming a competitive logistics powerhouse in Asia. (AT Network)
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