Pelindo Prepares TPK Sorong to Become a Container Activity Center in Eastern Indonesia

Surabaya (13/02) - After the merger of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero), the state-owned company continues to improve the port ecosystem in Indonesia. The latest information, the company's business group, namely PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas, is preparing a study regarding the possibility of making TPK Sorong a center of activity (hub) for containers in Eastern Indonesia. The preparation of TPK Sorong is said to be one of the company's efforts to support the effectiveness of logistics distribution.

Corporate Secretary of PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas Widyaswendra said the preparation of TPK Sorong as a center for container activities could boost the effectiveness of shipments to Eastern Indonesia. So far, several shipping companies are still using ships with a capacity of 600-1,000 TEUs for container shipping. The ship must stop at several ports before finally arriving at the final destination port. With the existence of a container terminal that functions as a center of activity, it is hoped that container shipments can be carried out by ships with larger sizes.

"There is more than one shipping company that has a reach to Eastern Indonesia, we encourage collaboration. Containers from Jakarta or Surabaya are transported by ships with a capacity of 1,500-3,000 TEUs to TPK Sorong, after which they are distributed to other ports within reach by smaller ships," said Widyaswendra, Monday (13/02).

This concept is considered to have an impact on the efficiency of container shipping costs. Regarding the efficiency value obtained, Widyaswendra said that currently the company is conducting a more in-depth study process. In addition, to make TPK Sorong a center for container activities, PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas will also carry out a number of further transformations and investments to prepare all the best facilities and services for service users.

"The potential flow of containers at the Sorong TPK will be around 243,000 TEUs. We are currently in a more thorough review process, including involving service users. This is to make more informed decisions so that the planned programs can benefit the port and shipping industry in Indonesia," he continued.

The study includes an analysis of the existing route which is currently the path for container ships, an analysis of support and buffer zones (hinterland), an analysis of cargo consolidation, as well as the proposed new route design. The flow of containers at TPK Sorong itself in the 2022 period was recorded at 48,048 TEUs. Several ports that are within the closest reach, such as TPK Jayapura with 95,431 TEUs, Nabire Port with 31,138 TEUs, Bintuni Port with 11,100 TEUs, Manokwari Port with 40,982 TEUs, Biak Port with 13,376 TEUs.