Teluk Bayur Container Terminal (IPC TPK Teluk Bayur) will optimize the utility of its reefer plug facilities to attract more refer container calls, thus supporting the terminal to reach its yearly throughput target. This remains one of key program of the terminal in 2024.
IPC TPK Teluk Bayur is one of the terminals of IPC TPK, a subsidiary of Pelindo Terminal Petikemas Sub-holding (SPTP) that operate the container terminal at Teluk Bayur Port and handles containerized cargoes to/from the West Sumatera Province.
Talking to Indonesia Shipping Gazette recently (March 28, 2024), IPC TPK Area Manager for Teluk Bayur Container Terminal Erika Sudarto explained the increasing potencies of reefer cargoes from the province (West Sumatera), especially the fishery products. In addition, the inbound consumption commodities to the province is also a consideration why IPC TPK Teluk Bayur makes the program as a focus.
“The fishery products, mostly for export is on increasing trend. While, there is high volume of inbound commodities for consumption of the West Sumatera communities, such as ice cream. These have encouraged us to focus on optimize our reefer facilities, including reefer plugs,” he said.
The container plug or reefer connector functions as a conductor or means of delivering electricity to reefer or refrigerated containers which is useful for channelling electricity so that the temperature in the container is maintained.
“Currently there are 20 reefer plugging units (boxes) available at the TPK (Container Terminal) Teluk Bayur. On average, 12 boxes can now be used compared to previously only 7 boxes. Hopefully in the future we can optimize it again. “That’s why we continue to market the existence of these facilities,” said Erika.
He said that although the reefer plug facility at TPK Teluk Bayur has been available for quite some time, since 2013 there has never been an adjustment to the service tariff.
Currently, the reefer plug service rate per shift (8 hours) for a 20 feet container is IDR 260,000 and IDR 390,000 for a 40 feet container.
“This facility can be used for commodities such as fish, fruit and vegetables as well as food and beverage products or similar,” he explained.
Throughput Grew Positive in Q1
Approaching to end of the first quarter of 2024 (January-March), data says a yearly significant growth of throughput at this terminal. Per January 28, 2024, TPK Teluk Bayur through has reached 24,183 TEUs (21,823 boxes), exceeding the total Q1 in 2023 that reached 23,886 TEUs (22,139 boxes).
The February throughput contributed the highest, reaching 9,351 TEUs (8,444 boxes), then followed by January of 7,744 TEUs (7,019 boxes), and March of 7,088 TEUs (6,360 boxes). “The March throughput will be higher as there will still be two more ship calls until March 31. Hopefully, our first quarter throughput will exceed our quarterly target,” explained Erika.
The achievement of container flows during the first three months of 2024 has increased compared to the realization for the same period in 2023 of 23,886 TEUs or the equivalent of 22,139 boxes.
TPK Teluk Bayur targets to handle 25,000 TEUs in Q1, while for the whole year of 2024, it targets to handled 98,286 TEUs.
The cement remains the leading commodity handled by this terminal, then followed by the commodities of rubber, chocolate, coconut, palm fatty, gambier, cassia verra, betel nut, coffee, perlite, cardboard/paper, electricity poles, iron, plywood, spices, fresh fish, and general cargo.
A number of leading national shipping containers routinely call at this terminal, including Meratus Line, SPIL, Temas Line, and Tanto Intim Line.
“They are our leading customers, but we are also benefited from the sea toll services that now operated by Pelangi Tunggal Ika Shipping Line,” said Erika.