Coming to its 10th anniversary this year (2023), there are evidences to say that Terminal Teluk Lamong (TTL) in Tanjung Perak Surabaya has been the most preferred terminal for shipping lines. Many new comers have chosen this terminal, both international and domestic, container shipping and break bulk.
This makes it to enjoy significant growth in the last years and to a top performance this year (2023). Throughput, both of containerized cargoes and break bulk continued to increase, even booked a record this year, thanks to total 9 new services it handled along the year.
Until November 2023, its throughput has reached 842,803 TEUs, up 3.57% year-on-year (YoY), from 817,215 TEUs in the same period last year. TTL is very optimistic to exceed its yearly target this year which was contracted to 846,000 TEUs.
“We are very optimistic to exceed the target. Until November we almost reached it. There is still one month to come (December),” Terminal Teluk Lamong President Director David P Sirait said on the sideline of Golf Tournament at Bukit Darmo Golf, Surabaya, on December 16, 2023.
Of this total throughput, domestic trade still contributes the highest, reaching 65%, compared to 35% of international. “But, the trend of international contribution continued to increase from 30% last year, thanks to the shipping lines trust of continuing open new international service to this terminal, including the latest of VASI Shipping that opens direct service to India Sub Continent and Middle East,” added David.
TTL celebrates its 10th Anniversary on December 31 through series of activities, including Golf Tournament with more than 120 participants from shipping lines, logistics companies, cargo owners and from internal of Pelindo Group, charity for orphanage, charity auction, CEO Talk & CTO for Executive, and trekking with customers.
Milestones
TTL was legally established in December 31, 2013. And since its first operation in 2014, TTL has been an alternative for shipping and cargo owners in East Java, both for international and interisland (domestic). It has been a preferred choice as the terminal has been designed as a modern, smart, and eco-port, meaning that it has been supported with modern, smart, and environment-friendly facilities and systems. It runs under an automated system – an automated stacking crane (ASC). Its cranes work without site pilots. They are just remotely moved from the control tower (ASC control room).
However, though facilities have been modern, the terminal needed several years (more than 9 years) to overcome the natural problems of big waves within its channel and basin. This natural problem caused a longer waiting time as the vessel had to wait until a certain time to berth or depart. As a result, the port stay became longer.
But, since August this year, it was not a problem anymore. The waiting time has been zero, thanks to the installation of AIS (Automatic Identification System) plug device. The installation of this system will help to automatically provide maneuvering information, closest point of approach (CPA), time to the closest point of approach (TCPA) and other navigation information, more accurate and more timely than information available from an automatic radar plotting aid.
“This is one of our milestones this year,” said David.
Following this innovative step, more and more shipping lines have come to this terminal. Along the year of 2023, there were as many as 9 new services, including the last one of VASI Shipping. These new services have significantly contributed to this terminal throughput growth.
“This is another milestone we have created this year. Nine new services, both domestic and international calls. These new calls have supported us to reach new record in throughput. And, I think these new calls will show their top contribution next year (2024),” David said, expecting the next to approach 1 million TEUs.
David named some of the new international service this year include Meratus’ new service of Surabaya – Papua New Guinea, TCS Service Surabaya – India, ICN Service Surabaya – Ning Bao China, and VASI Shipping Surabaya – India – Middle East.
David also told another milestone in which TTL handled the biggest bulker during the year. On January 28, 2023, TTL handled the maiden voyage of MV. Emerald Dinghai break bulk carrier carrying 72,600 tons corn from Brazil.
Customer’s Appreciation
Contacted customers appreciated any innovative steps and the milestones the TTL had made during the last years, especially during 2023. Dhany Novianto, Country Head PT. MAP Trans Logistic agent of VASI Shipping in Indonesia, appreciates any improvement programs in services, infrastructure, and facilities the TTL has done. He said, these programs have encouraged shipping lines to come to this terminal.
“The terminal has provided optimum services. In addition, the infrastructure and modern facilities have attracted us to call. And surely, with the terminal design of environmental friendly. TTL has supported the green shipping campaign,” he said.
VASI Shipping has just opened direct service from Surabaya to India and Middle East. Its maiden voyage run by MV. Asterios, a 1,600 TEUs containership, firstly called at Teluk Lamong on December 11, 2023.
Earlier, Sebastian Wibisono, Chairman of East Java ALFI/ILFA (Indonesia Logistics and Forwarders’ Association), admitted that waiting time has no longer become a problem for Terminal Teluk Lamong.
“Terminal Teluk Lamong has taken such appropriate programs and strategies to overcome the problem and to reach zero waiting time. We appreciate it very much,” Wibi said.
“The massive new services, especially the international ones, will help cargo owners to easily shipping their export to any destinations worldwide,” Wibi concluded.