Indonesia’s logistics sector is entering one of its busiest periods of the year as cargo volumes surge ahead of Eid al-Fitr, prompting port operators, shipping lines and logistics firms to implement contingency measures to keep goods moving smoothly through the country’s major maritime gateways.
The annual rise in shipments tied to Ramadan and Eid consumption is already visible at several ports, particularly in Central Java and East Java, where businesses are accelerating deliveries of consumer goods ranging from food products to clothing. Retailers typically increase inventories weeks before the holiday, when millions of Indonesians ramp up spending on festive meals, gifts and new apparel.
Industry groups say the spike in logistics activity this year appears stronger than in previous years. In addition to seasonal demand, the increase reflects expanding industrial investment across several manufacturing corridors that are gradually reshaping Indonesia’s production and trade landscape.
Teguh Arif Handoko, chairman of the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI/ILFA) for Central Java and Yogyakarta, said cargo volumes handled by logistics operators in the region have surged by roughly 130% compared with normal levels as companies rush to stock markets before the holiday.
Teguh Arif Handoko: “Cargo volumes handled by logistics operators in Central Java have surged by roughly 130%.”
“Every year we see an increase before Eid, but this year the rise is quite significant,” Teguh said. “Production activity has grown and companies are accelerating shipments so goods can reach markets before the holiday period.”
Cargo Volumes Climb at Key Ports
The increase in shipments is already evident at Tanjung Emas Port, one of Central Java’s main maritime gateways.
Container traffic at the port has risen from an average of about 2,800 containers per day to around 3,000 units, according to logistics operators in the region. While the surge partly reflects seasonal demand ahead of Eid, industry players say longer-term structural changes are also contributing to higher port activity.
Large-scale industrial investments in areas such as the Kendal Industrial Park and the Batang Integrated Industrial Estate are beginning to generate new cargo flows as manufacturing capacity expands.
Container throughput at Tanjung Emas illustrates the shift. Annual volumes increased from about 700,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2023 to around 800,000 TEUs in 2024, before reaching roughly 1 million TEUs in 2025, according to industry estimates.
“What’s notable is that this growth is happening even though only about 20% of companies in those industrial estates are currently operating,” Teguh said. “Once more factories begin full production, the volume could increase much further.”
A similar rise in activity is occurring in East Java, particularly at Tanjung Perak Port, one of Indonesia’s busiest container hubs and a key gateway for cargo distribution to eastern regions of the country.
Sebastian Wibisono, chairman of ALFI East Java, said cargo volumes during the Eid period could rise by as much as 80%, driven by the overlap of multiple seasonal demand cycles.
Imports began increasing late last year during the Christmas and New Year’s Day shopping season and continued through Chinese New Year. Demand linked to Ramadan and Eid is now adding further pressure on shipping networks.
Sebastian Wibisono: “Cargo volumes during the Eid period could rise by as much as 80% in East Java.”
“Surabaya is often the transit point for cargo heading to eastern Indonesia,” Wibisono said. “Many imports arrive here first and are then distributed to regions such as West Kalimantan or South Kalimantan.”
Temporary Measures
The stacking of several holiday-driven shipping cycles has increased pressure on port infrastructure, prompting logistics operators to introduce temporary measures to avoid bottlenecks.
One strategy involves repurposing warehouses typically used for export cargo so they can temporarily store imported goods during the busiest weeks. The additional storage space allows containers to be cleared more quickly from terminal yards, reducing the risk of congestion.
“We coordinated with customs authorities before implementing the plan,” Wibisono said. “The goal is to create additional space so containers can continue moving smoothly.”
At Tanjung Perak, container operations are primarily handled by Teluk Lamong Terminal and the Surabaya Container Terminal, which often transfer containers between facilities to balance capacity during peak traffic periods.
Such transfers help prevent container yards from becoming overcrowded and ensure that vessel loading and unloading operations remain efficient.
Last year’s Eid logistics surge pushed cargo volumes up by about 103% compared with normal levels, according to ALFI East Java. Operators managed the increase largely by relocating containers to nearby depots operating around the clock.
Indonesia’s state-owned port operator PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas has also begun implementing operational measures to handle the anticipated surge in cargo traffic.
According to corporate secretary Widyaswendra, the company relies on its terminal operating system to monitor berth occupancy ratios and container yard capacity, allowing managers to anticipate congestion risks early.
“We are taking precautions early, particularly regarding container yard capacity,” he said.
During the holiday period, containers can remain in terminal yards for up to 16 days, partly because trucking activity slows due to restrictions on freight movement during the Eid travel season.
To prevent yards from becoming overloaded, Pelindo and its partners have prepared additional off-site relocation areas—known locally as overbrengen—where containers can be temporarily stored outside the main terminal complex.
Container terminals will also continue operating 24 hours a day throughout the Eid holiday to ensure that vessel operations remain uninterrupted.
Strong Consumption Supports Economic Growth
Business groups say the increase in port activity reflects strong consumer demand as households prepare for Indonesia’s biggest annual holiday.
Frans Kongi, chairman of the Indonesian Employers’ Association in Central Java, said cargo flows at Tanjung Emas have been rising steadily since December as retailers and manufacturers increased shipments ahead of Ramadan.
He estimates that loading and unloading volumes during the Eid period could rise by around 20% compared with normal levels, with the sharpest surge expected roughly 10 days before the holiday, when activity may reach 25% above average.
Much of the increase is tied to shipments of seasonal consumer goods, including food products, clothing and other items commonly purchased during Ramadan and Eid celebrations.
The faster movement of goods has also benefited small businesses and retailers, as stronger demand helps accelerate the circulation of money in local markets.
So far, business groups say there have been no significant reports of cargo backlogs or severe congestion at ports in Central Java.
“Pelindo has considerable experience handling this seasonal surge,” Frans said. “Operationally things are still running relatively smoothly.”
The rise in trade activity is also expected to support regional economic growth in the months leading up to the holiday.
Frans estimates Central Java’s economic growth could reach around 5.7% in the near term, above the typical range of 5.1% to 5.2%, driven largely by strong domestic consumption.
However, the outlook beyond the Eid period remains uncertain as global economic conditions continue to evolve. Geopolitical tensions and the possibility of new U.S. tariff measures could influence global trade flows and export demand later in the year.
“For now the domestic economy is quite strong because of consumption,” Frans said. “But the outlook after Eid will depend on global developments.”