As Southeast Asia’s largest economy and a vast archipelagic nation with over 17,000 islands, Indonesia depends heavily on its maritime infrastructure to support both domestic logistics and international trade. In 2025, the country’s busiest ports will continue to play a central role in its economic development, facilitating the export of vital commodities, enhancing regional connectivity, and connecting Indonesia to global supply chains. Spanning key locations from Java to Kalimantan and Sumatra, these ports handle millions of TEUs annually and serve as strategic hubs in the worldwide shipping industry. This article examines the five busiest ports in Indonesia in 2025, analyzing their container throughput, cargo volume, and the competitive advantages that make each one crucial to the nation’s maritime economy.
Port of Tanjung Priok – Jakarta
Freight Volume and Container Throughput :
The Port of Tanjung Priok is Indonesia’s most significant and busiest port, handling over 50% of the country’s transshipment cargo. In 2024, its container throughput is expected to continue growing steadily. Historically, the port has dealt with around 4.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually. With the completion of the “New Priok” expansion project in 2023, its annual capacity is projected to triple, potentially surpassing 12 million TEU, highlighting its significant future growth potential.
Key Advantages:
- Strategic Location: Situated in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, the port serves as the main gateway for the country’s imports and exports.
- Advanced Infrastructure: The port features multiple modern container terminals, including JICT and NPCT1, equipped to accommodate large vessels of up to 15,000 TEUs.
- Efficient Operations: With state-of-the-art loading and unloading equipment, advanced warehouse management systems, and bonded warehousing services, the port minimizes demurrage fees and storage costs.
- Extensive Trade Reach: As Indonesia’s largest international port, it accounts for over half of the country’s foreign trade throughput. Its primary trading partners include Japan, the United States, and Singapore.
- Ongoing Expansion: The New Tanjung Priok project significantly boosts the port’s capacity and competitiveness, positioning it to take an even stronger role in the global maritime shipping market
Port of Tanjung Perak -Surabaya
Cargo Volume and Container Throughput:
The Port of Tanjung Perak in Surabaya is Indonesia’s second-largest port, with an annual throughput of around 1.4 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). It is poised for continued growth to support the increasing trade demands of Eastern Indonesia.
Key Advantages:
- Regional Hub: Serving as the leading maritime gateway for Eastern Indonesia, it connects Java Island with the country’s eastern regions.
- Versatility: The port handles a wide range of cargo types, including containers, bulk commodities, and liquid goods.
- Strategic Location: It plays a vital role in both international and inter-island trade, with key connections to China, South Korea, and Singapore.
Port of Belawan – North Sumatra
Freight Volume and Container Throughput:
The Port of Belawan is the busiest seaport outside Java Island and the leading container port in the Sumatra region. While container throughput fluctuates yearly, Belawan consistently holds a vital position as a key regional hub.
Key Advantages:
- Strategic Location: Situated near the Strait of Malacca—one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes—the port offers significant advantages for international trade.
- Regional Economic Driver: Belawan plays a crucial role in facilitating international trade in North Sumatra, thereby supporting regional economic growth. It serves as a primary export gateway for natural resources, such as palm oil and rubber.
Kijing Container Port – West Kalimantan
Freight Volume and Container Throughput :
As the largest container port on Borneo (Kalimantan Island), Kijing Port boasts an annual handling capacity of over 1.95 million TEUs and a cargo throughput of approximately 28 million tons. These figures reflect its growing importance in Indonesia’s logistics and export infrastructure.
Key Advantages:
- Gateway to Kalimantan: As the primary container port on Borneo—the world’s third-largest island—Kijing plays a vital role in supporting trade and economic development across the region.
- Strategic Connectivity: Located along the Karimata Strait, the port provides direct maritime access to major trading hubs, including Sumatra, Singapore, and Malaysia.
- National Strategic Project: Designated as one of Indonesia’s national strategic infrastructure projects, Kijing Port benefits from strong government backing and ongoing investment, signaling substantial future growth potential.
- Commodity Export Hub: The port facilitates the movement of Kalimantan’s key export commodities, including crude palm oil, bauxite, and alumina, to both domestic and international markets.
Kuala Tanjung Port – North Sumatra
Freight volume and container throughput :
Kuala Tanjung Port is an emerging major port that first began container handling in March 2020. Upon completion of the entire operation, it is expected to achieve an annual throughput of 60 million TEUs, surpassing Tanjung Priok Port and rivaling Singapore Port, thereby establishing itself as a key hub for Indonesia and the region.
Advantages:
- Huge future potential: As a large port under construction and development, its planned throughput far exceeds that of existing ports, positioning it to become a central international shipping hub for Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
- Excellent natural conditions: Located in the central part of the Malacca Strait, it boasts favorable natural conditions ideal for the development of a large-scale port.
- Regional connectivity: It will serve as an export gateway for Sumatra Island’s natural resources, such as palm oil and rubber, and is expected to attract investment in industrial parks.
Indonesia Major Ports: Key Contributors to Global Trade
As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia’s major ports play a crucial role in facilitating global trade. Positioned at the crossroads of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, these ports serve as vital nodes in international supply chains, supporting the movement of both raw materials and manufactured goods. Their contributions can be seen across several key areas:
1. A Critical Link in Global Supply Chains
Strategic Location:
Indonesia sits astride some of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, including the Strait of Malacca, Sunda Strait, and Lombok Strait. These key chokepoints connect major economies in Asia with Europe, Africa, and the Americas. As a result, Indonesia’s ports have become integral to global ocean shipping, offering essential transit and routing options for international carriers.
Transshipment and Distribution Hub:
Ports like Tanjung Priok not only support Indonesia’s own import and export activities but also function as major transshipment centers. A significant volume of goods from within ASEAN and across Asia is routed through Indonesian ports before being shipped to destinations worldwide.
2. Gateway for Bulk Commodities and Manufactured Goods
Natural Resource Exports:
Indonesia is a leading global exporter of palm oil, coal, rubber, nickel ore, and natural gas. Its ports serve as key exit points for these commodities, supporting critical supply chains—from palm oil for food and biofuels to nickel ore for electric vehicle batteries.
Rising Manufactured Goods Exports:
Beyond raw materials, Indonesia is increasingly exporting manufactured products, including textiles, garments, footwear, electronics, and automotive components. These goods flow through the nation’s ports to international markets, strengthening Indonesia’s manufacturing base and supplying consumers worldwide.
3. Promoting Regional Development and Economic Integration
Inter-Island Connectivity:
With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia relies heavily on its ports to facilitate trade and commerce across the country’s provinces. This inter-island network ensures balanced economic development and facilitates the movement of goods throughout the archipelago.
Intra-ASEAN Trade Enabler:
As Southeast Asia’s largest economy and a founding member of ASEAN, Indonesia plays a key role in promoting regional economic integration. Its ports link maritime trade across ASEAN member states, strengthening regional supply chains and financial resilience.
4. Driving Foreign Investment and Industrial Growth
Infrastructure Investment:
Backed by strong government support, Indonesia is investing heavily in its port infrastructure, expanding terminals, deepening navigation channels, modernizing cargo handling systems, and enhancing connectivity with highways and railways. These enhancements have attracted foreign direct investment and led to the development of industrial zones around key ports.
Improved Logistics Efficiency:
Ports have evolved into logistics hubs, offering value-added services such as bonded warehousing, customs clearance, and cargo consolidation. These improvements enhance overall supply chain efficiency, making Indonesia more attractive to multinational companies seeking to establish or expand their operations in Southeast Asia.
5. Supporting Employment and Economic Growth
Job Creation:
Port activities and related industries—such as shipping, logistics, shipbuilding, and repair—have generated significant employment across the country. These jobs contribute directly to local economies and improve livelihoods in port cities and surrounding regions.
Enhanced National Competitiveness:
Efficient and modern ports reduce logistics costs and enhance trade facilitation. This strengthens Indonesia’s global trade position and supports its ambitions to become a key player in the international maritime economy.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s major ports are more than just transit points—they are engines of economic development and strategic assets in the global supply chain. Through their advantageous locations, growing cargo capacities, and modernized infrastructure, these ports enable the smooth flow of goods, support industrial expansion, attract global investment, and reinforce Indonesia’s role in international trade.
