As an archipelago, Indonesia relies heavily on maritime transportation to connect its islands, particularly in the logistics industry.

Ports serve as vital infrastructure, acting as entry and exit points for goods in both domestic and international trade.

However, ports are not just about ship operations and loading and unloading. Behind the scenes lies a network connecting ports to highways, railways, industrial zones, warehouses, and distribution centers.

Given their vital role, it’s no surprise that Indonesia has many large ports spread across various regions. Here is a list of the 10 largest ports in Indonesia.

1. Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta

Located in North Jakarta, Tanjung Priok Port is one of the country’s main ports and a gateway for international trade.

Its proximity to the economic hub, industrial zones, and the Jabodetabek distribution network gives Tanjung Priok a major role in the movement of goods.

The development of the Kalibaru Terminal, not far from Tanjung Priok Port, is also underway to increase container handling capacity and support the growth of trade activities.

2. Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya

Tanjung Perak Port is one of the main logistics hubs in East Java. This port connects the island of Java with various regions in Indonesia, including Eastern Indonesia.

The types of cargo handled are quite diverse, ranging from containers and general cargo to bulk cargo and passengers. Surabaya’s position as the commercial and industrial hub of East Java further strengthens its role in national distribution.

3. Patimban Port, Subang

Located in Subang Regency, West Java, Patimban Port is being developed as a strategic infrastructure project to strengthen the national logistics network.

Its presence is expected to help alleviate the burden on Tanjung Priok while providing closer access for industrial areas in West Java.

Since last July, Patimban Port has even officially begun handling import operations. Read more Patimban Port Can Finally Handle Imports

4. Tanjung Emas Port, Semarang

Tanjung Emas Port is the main gateway for logistics activities in Central Java. This port handles various types of operations, such as the loading and unloading of containers, general cargo, and passenger transport.

Its location is quite strategic in connecting Central Java’s industrial and commercial areas with domestic and international shipping networks.

5. Soekarno-Hatta Port, Makassar

Soekarno-Hatta Port in Makassar is the largest distribution center in Eastern Indonesia. Its location makes Makassar a hub for the flow of goods from western Indonesia to Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua, and other eastern regions.

The development of the Makassar New Port is also a key part of efforts to increase capacity and strengthen Makassar’s position as a logistics hub in Eastern Indonesia.

6. Belawan Port, Medan

For North Sumatra, Belawan Port serves as the main gateway for trade and goods distribution. The port enjoys a geographical advantage due to its proximity to the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s major international shipping lanes.

Belawan handles a wide range of export-import activities as well as domestic distribution. It plays a significant role in supporting the logistics needs of northern Sumatra and facilitating trade connectivity with other regions.

7. Batu Ampar Port, Batam

It can be said that Batu Ampar Port holds the most strategic position. Its location is very close to the border with Singapore, which serves as one of Indonesia’s major industrial and trade centers.

This port handles various container operations, import-export activities, and goods distribution for the Batam industrial zone.

Terminal development is also ongoing to increase capacity and improve service quality in line with the region’s growing economic activity.

8. Merak Port, Banten

Unlike some of the other ports on this list, Merak Port plays a key role as a ferry hub connecting Java and Sumatra.

Activities at Merak Port serve not only passengers but also logistics vehicles such as trucks and freight vehicles.

9. Bakauheni Port, Lampung

On the Sumatra side is Bakauheni Port, which is essentially Merak’s main counterpart on the Java-Sumatra ferry route.

This port serves various types of vehicles, ranging from private cars and buses to freight trucks.

10. Kuala Tanjung Port, North Sumatra

Kuala Tanjung Port was developed as one of the strategic ports in western Indonesia.

This port is designed to connect with industrial areas via a land transportation network, thereby strengthening connectivity between production, distribution, and trade activities.

Ports Are Key to Indonesia’s Logistics Efficiency

From Jakarta to Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and other regions, ports play a much larger role than simply being places where ships dock.

Ports serve as hubs connecting various activities in the supply chain—from production and trade to transportation, warehousing, and distribution to customers.

Road connectivity, rail lines, warehousing facilities, digital technology, and the availability of land transportation are all critical to ensuring goods can move smoothly once they leave the port.

The more integrated this entire ecosystem is, the greater the opportunity to create a logistics process that is efficient, on time, and capable of supporting industrial competitiveness.

SELOG: Integrated Logistics Solutions

Smooth distribution after goods leave the port requires good planning and coordination.

You certainly need a partner who is not only capable of shipping goods but also understands how each stage in the supply chain is interconnected.

One logistics company worth considering is SELOG, the logistics business unit of PT Serasi Autoraya (SERA), which is also part of the Astra Group.

SELOG provides domestic and international freight forwarding services supported by various logistics facilities, such as warehouses, a truck fleet, and Ro-Ro ships, to support the entire distribution process.

In addition to freight forwarding services, SELOG also offers a range of comprehensive end-to-end logistics solutions, including:

• Trucking
• Shipping Services
• Warehousing
• Project Cargo

All of these services are supported by digital technologies such as the Astra Fleet Management Solution (AstraFMS) and the Warehouse Management System (WMS), which help improve operational efficiency and provide real-time shipment visibility.

For more information about SELOG’s services, please visit the official website www.selog.astra.co.id and follow SELOG on social media:

• Instagram: @selog_astra
• LinkedIn: SELOG