Container traffic growth in East Java during January – September 2026 has provided a positive indication of expanding trade and logistics activities, supported by stronger international shipping connectivity and improvements in port infrastructure. The increase reflects growing demand for cargo transportation, particularly for export and import activities, while highlighting the importance of improving logistics efficiency to sustain Indonesia’s international trade competitiveness.
Data showed that container throughput across its terminals reached 10.31 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the first nine months of 2026, representing a 5.80% increase compared with the same period last year. International container traffic recorded stronger growth, rising 10.34% to 3.54 million TEUs, while domestic traffic increased 3.57% to 6.77 million TEUs.
The stronger performance in international container traffic indicates improving activity in Indonesia’s foreign trade sector, particularly in East Java, which serves as an important industrial, manufacturing, and distribution hub. The expansion of international shipping services and additional vessel calls have also contributed to the growing movement of containers through regional ports.
Sebastian Wibisono, Chairman of the East Java Regional Board of the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI/ILFA), viewed the increase as a positive development for the province’s trade and logistics industry. He attributed part of the growth to stronger international shipping connectivity, reflected in the increasing number of non-regular international vessel calls at Teluk Lamong Terminal.
The expansion of shipping services provides businesses with more transportation options and greater opportunities to access international markets. Improved connectivity can also support the movement of export and import cargo by offering more flexible shipping routes and potentially reducing dependence on limited service networks.
Infrastructure development has further supported the sector’s growth. Pelindo has continued to expand terminal capacity and modernize cargo-handling facilities to improve operational performance and service quality. At Surabaya Container Terminal (TPS), the company has added four quay container cranes (QCCs) and 14 rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes to strengthen loading and unloading capabilities.
These investments are expected to improve equipment availability, increase handling capacity, and support more efficient terminal operations as container volumes continue to rise. However, infrastructure expansion alone will not guarantee improvements across the broader logistics chain. Port productivity must also be accompanied by faster cargo handling, reliable vessel schedules, smoother container movement in and out of terminals, and competitive logistics costs.
This is particularly important as higher container volumes could place additional pressure on port operations and supporting transportation networks. Without sufficient coordination between terminals, shipping operators, trucking services, and other logistics providers, increased throughput may not necessarily translate into lower distribution costs or shorter delivery times.
Beyond operational improvements, the sustainability of container traffic growth also requires closer examination of its contribution to national trade performance. Puspandam Katias, a supply chain management academic and practitioner at Airlangga University, highlighted the need to assess container growth alongside other indicators of trade competitiveness.
The 10.34% increase in international container traffic should be evaluated against export and import statistics from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the composition of export and import containers, loaded and empty container volumes, and changes in overall trade value. Such comparisons are essential to determine whether higher container throughput genuinely reflects stronger international trade or is primarily driven by changes in logistics and cargo distribution patterns.
An increase in container movements does not automatically indicate higher export value, stronger domestic value creation, or improved competitiveness of Indonesian products. Sustainable trade expansion requires more than increased cargo volumes. It also depends on the ability of domestic industries to produce higher-value goods, improve supply chain efficiency, and compete effectively in international markets.
Global shipping developments also remain an important consideration. The gradual resumption of Suez Canal routes by several shipping companies amid continuing security concerns in the Red Sea could influence international shipping networks, transit times, and cargo distribution patterns. Changes in global shipping routes may create both opportunities and uncertainties for Indonesian ports and exporters, making stronger logistics coordination increasingly important.
Another major challenge is ensuring that container growth is matched by efficiency throughout the entire distribution network. Higher terminal throughput could lose much of its economic benefit if cargo continues to face delays, elevated transportation costs, or uncertainty once it leaves the port. Improving connections between ports, industrial areas, warehouses, and domestic transportation corridors will therefore be essential to maximizing the benefits of growing container traffic.
At the national level, international trade was among the key drivers of its overall performance during the January – September 2026 period. Teluk Lamong Terminal recorded one of the strongest performances, with container throughput increasing 23.12%. As of September 2026, the terminal had handled 25 non-regular international vessel calls, also known as ad hoc calls, carrying a combined cargo volume of 16,014 TEUs. This development underscores the terminal’s growing role in supporting international shipping connectivity and regional trade activities.
Looking ahead, East Java’s expanding container traffic presents an opportunity to strengthen its position as a major logistics and trade gateway in eastern Indonesia. However, sustaining this momentum will require coordinated investment in port infrastructure, shipping connectivity, supply chain integration, and industrial competitiveness. Ultimately, the success of container traffic growth should not be measured solely by the number of TEUs handled, but by its ability to generate more efficient logistics services, support higher-value exports, reduce trade costs, and deliver lasting improvements to Indonesia’s position in global markets.
