PT Prima Multi Terminal (PMT) reached a new milestone this week after handling the first international container shipment operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group from Kuala Tanjung Port to Singapore, marking a key step in the port’s expansion as a regional logistics hub.
The MSC Zaina III, a 213-metre vessel with a capacity of 2,646 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), berthed at PMT’s terminal on Wednesday (Nov 6) to load around 500 containers.
The ship’s regular route will connect Singapore, Belawan and Kuala Tanjung, strengthening trade flows through the busy Strait of Malacca.
“We greatly appreciate the arrival of MSC Zaina III at Kuala Tanjung Port. Through close collaboration with the Kuala Tanjung Port Authority, Customs, and other stakeholders, the ship was able to dock smoothly and safely,” said Rudi Susanto, President Director of PT PMT.
Susanto said the service underscores PMT’s strategy to position Kuala Tanjung as a competitive international gateway.
“We aim to attract more large vessels and enhance our service capacity and quality. Going forward, commodities such as vegetable oils, chemical products, and industrial goods from the Kuala Tanjung hinterland will be transported by international container ships,” he said.
Renaud Durteste, Managing Director of MSC Group, said the new service will operate once a week, or four times a month, providing consistent connectivity to Singapore.
“With vessel capacity exceeding 2,000 TEUs, we are opening opportunities for industries across North Sumatra to utilize available cargo space,” Durteste said, noting Kuala Tanjung’s strategic proximity to the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Kuala Tanjung Industrial Estate.
He added that the collaboration with PMT is part of MSC’s plan to expand its Indonesian network, targeting value-added commodity exports from production centers near the port.
The maiden voyage was marked by a welcoming ceremony attended by representatives from the Kuala Tanjung Harbormaster and Port Authority, Customs Office, business associations, and cargo owners from the Sei Mangkei SEZ.
“Direct connectivity to Singapore offers industries a more efficient export route. This is not only an achievement for PMT but also a sign of transformation in regional logistics,” Susanto said.
The launch of regular MSC international services signals Kuala Tanjung’s readiness to enter a new phase of growth within the global logistics chain. Continued cooperation among industry players, port authorities, and shipping partners is expected to enhance export efficiency, broaden market access, and strengthen North Sumatra’s competitiveness.