PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas is taking urgent steps to restore container service performance at Bitung Port after a key equipment failure in May disrupted operations and led to a backlog of vessels.
The breakdown of a rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) crane on May 21 sharply impacted productivity at the Bitung Container Terminal (TPK Bitung), prompting a decline in port performance and delays in vessel turnaround.
In a bid to stabilize operations, the state-run port operator is fast-tracking the procurement of critical handling equipment. “We will add one new reach stacker unit, which will arrive at the end of July 2025,” Widyaswendra, the company’s corporate secretary, said on Wednesday.
“Additionally, two RTG units and four head trucks from TPK New Makassar are scheduled to arrive in the second week of August.”
Beyond stopgap measures, Pelindo is also accelerating repairs on existing equipment. Technical teams from various regional terminals have been deployed to Bitung to support recovery efforts. The company is also ensuring that the quay container crane (QCC), a vital asset for vessel operations, is fully functional.
Looking further ahead, Pelindo has set in motion the procurement of two new RTGs, expected to be delivered in 2026, as part of its long-term recovery and resilience strategy.
While operations initially suffered, the company reports that ship queues have largely been cleared. “By July 2025, we’ve resolved the backlog. Receiving and delivery performance is now back in line with our service commitments,” Widyaswendra added.
Posting 16.6% YoY Throughput Increase
Despite the disruption, Bitung Terminal posted a 16.6% year-on-year increase in container throughput from January to May 2025, reaching 118,000 TEUs, up from 101,000 TEUs during the same period in 2024.
Yefri Meidison, head of the Bitung Class I Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), acknowledged the impact of the RTG failure and emphasized the urgency of improvements.
“Loading and unloading performance at TPK Bitung must be addressed immediately, especially as container flow increases,” Yefri said.
He cited the prolonged stay of the Meratus Wakatobi, which required nearly 57 hours to complete operations after arriving on June 12—far above the port’s 27-hour target. Throughout May and June, average vessel port stays stretched to 49 hours.
Recent improvements, however, offer signs of progress. The Meratus Wakatobi returned in early July and completed its operation in 27 hours, achieving a throughput rate of 28 containers per hour. Another vessel, the Meratus Medan 1, handled 20 containers per hour, wrapping operations in just 25 hours.
“We are beginning to see encouraging results,” Yefri said. “But improvements must continue to ensure reliable service at Bitung.”