IPC Terminal Petikemas (IPC TPK) Pontianak has marked a significant milestone with the introduction of a new shipping route connecting Pontianak, Panjang, and Singapore, launched by PT Pelayaran Sukses Sindo Damai (PSSD) on May 2, 2025. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the logistics connectivity of West Kalimantan with both national and international trade hubs.
The inaugural service saw the barge BG LL MASSIE, accompanied by Tugboat TB LL Syukur, dock at IPC TPK Pontianak carrying 215 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of containers. This development is expected to open new market opportunities for exporters, particularly in the Pontianak region and throughout West Kalimantan. M. Loutfie Hidayat, Manager of IPC TPK Area Pontianak, expressed optimism about the new route, stating, "This service adds to our fleet and opens up new market opportunities for exporters, especially in the Pontianak and West Kalimantan regions."
In the first quarter of 2025, IPC TPK Pontianak reported a throughput of 64,309 TEUs, reflecting a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, which saw 60,633 TEUs. Additionally, this performance exceeded the shareholder's target by 1.5%. This growth is indicative of improved operational efficiency and a higher volume of goods being handled, contributing positively to the logistics flow in the region.
As part of ongoing service transformation, IPC TPK Pontianak has also initiated the construction of an Integrated Planning & Control Room. This facility aims to integrate terminal operations, pilotage, safety and traffic supervision, and vessel traffic management digitally, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and coordination among port stakeholders.
The terminal operates 24 hours a day and has introduced electrification for its RMGC (Rubber-Mounted Gantry Crane) loading and unloading equipment. These initiatives are designed to provide optimal service and responsiveness to the ever-evolving logistics needs. The Singapore-Pontianak-Panjang shipping route will be serviced regularly once a week, offering a more reliable transportation option for import-export businesses in western Indonesia. Loutfie added, "We hope this new service acts as a catalyst for trade growth and facilitates smoother export-import flows from West Kalimantan to national and global markets."
In a parallel development, on May 5, 2025, the Provincial Government of West Kalimantan signed a joint agreement with four strategic partners to enhance the management of social forest products. The partners include Yayasan Sangga Bumi Lestari, Rainforest Alliance, PT Premium Rempah Bumi (Pribumi) Indonesia, and Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI).
Governor Ria Norsan highlighted that social forest products from the province are beginning to make their way into international markets. However, he acknowledged existing challenges in management and marketing, primarily due to a lack of coordination among business players. "Today we are signing a cooperation agreement for social forest products with business communities. They manage social forests, which include various products like patchouli, coffee, and others," he explained.
Norsan pointed out that the diversity of groups and weak coordination has led to price manipulation in the market. "We are not united; each group operates independently, making it easy for prices to be manipulated. If we remain fragmented, we will be easily undercut by price competition, leading to price drops," he stated.
To address these issues, the government plans to formulate export regulations to protect the economic value of forest products and strengthen the bargaining position of local communities. "Regulations already exist, but we will revise them to ensure better coordination and prevent fragmentation," Norsan emphasized.
In addition to the agreements, Norsan mentioned that West Kalimantan has established a forest product outlet on Jalan Ahmad Yani in Pontianak. This outlet serves to showcase local products, including forest honey, rattan, and various other items, to the public. "We have a forest product outlet where we display our diverse forest products to the community," he added.
These developments in both logistics and forest product management signal a proactive approach by local authorities and businesses to enhance economic growth in West Kalimantan. The new shipping route is expected to boost trade efficiency, while the agreements on social forest products aim to create a sustainable and profitable ecosystem for local producers.
As West Kalimantan continues to navigate the complexities of trade and environmental stewardship, the commitment shown by both the IPC TPK and the provincial government suggests a promising future for the region's economic landscape.
