Indonesia’s state-owned container terminal operator PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas is preparing a significant upgrade to its container-handling capacity, ordering dozens of new cranes as it readies ports across the archipelago for rising trade volumes.
The company plans to procure 13 quay container cranes (QCC) and 26 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTG), with deliveries scheduled to begin gradually in the second half of 2026, Pelindo Terminal Petikemas said.
The new equipment will be deployed across several of Indonesia’s busiest and strategically located container terminals, reflecting growing pressure on port infrastructure as freight traffic continues to climb.
Among the terminals set to receive the cranes are Belawan Container Terminal in North Sumatra, Surabaya Container Terminal (TPS) in East Java, and Semarang Container Terminal in Central Java. Additional equipment will be allocated to terminals in Panjang (Lampung), Perawang (Riau), and Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan).
Eastern Indonesia will also see upgrades, with cranes slated for Nilam Terminal in East Java, Kendari Container Terminal in Southeast Sulawesi, and Kijing Terminal in West Kalimantan.
Corporate Secretary Widyaswendra said the investment is aimed at improving loading and unloading performance while ensuring service reliability across Pelindo’s network.
“Alongside the procurement of new equipment, we will also optimize existing crane assets, both QCC and RTG, to strengthen operations at other terminals,” he said, adding that TPK Berlian in Surabaya is expected to receive two additional QCC units.
Boosting Competitiveness
Industry groups say such investments are critical as Indonesia seeks to reduce logistics costs and boost competitiveness in regional and global supply chains.
Carmelita Hartoto, Chairperson of the Indonesian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA), said closer coordination among port stakeholders is essential as cargo volumes continue to grow.
“Port infrastructure and superstructure must keep pace with demand,” she said. “Support for equipment and operating systems needs to be continuously upgraded to ensure efficient national logistics distribution.”
Meanwhile, Trismawan Sanjaya, Secretary General of the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI), pointed to persistent challenges facing the sector, including regulatory uncertainty, uneven infrastructure development across regions, and the lack of standardized services at ports.
He said technology-driven logistics infrastructure and better service integration would be key to improving efficiency and strengthening Indonesia’s global competitiveness.
“Every link in the logistics chain has a role to play in keeping costs competitive—from port operators and transport providers to warehousing services,” Trismawan said.