41,6 Million Tons of Coal Move by Rail, as KAI Keeps Sumatra’s Logistics Flow Moving

Tens of millions of tons of coal continue to move from production areas to distribution points across Sumatra. Behind this massive flow of commodities, rail transportation plays an important role in maintaining the movement of coal within Indonesia’s logistics system.

From January to September 2026, a total of 41,607,561 tons of coal were transported by KAI across Sumatra. The volume represented approximately 82 percent of the 50,756,132 tons of total freight transported during the first nine months of 2026.

This scale makes coal the largest commodity in KAI’s freight portfolio. Handling tens of millions of tons highlights how railway transportation can support high-volume commodities with regular and structured shipping patterns.

Coal transportation is concentrated in South Sumatra and Lampung through the operations of Divre III Palembang and Divre IV Tanjungkarang. By September 2026, the two regions had recorded a combined coal transportation volume of 41.61 million tons.

This large-scale railway operation takes place alongside Indonesia’s significant coal industry. According to Statistics Indonesia, the country’s coal exports reached 201.47 million tons from January to July 2026. Monthly export volumes ranged from 26.85 million to 29.54 million tons, with July alone reaching 29.02 million tons.

The scale of commodity movement highlights the need for logistics systems capable of handling large volumes efficiently. Rail transportation offers an advantage through its ability to carry significant loads in a single train formation while supporting scheduled operations.

Amid changing industry dynamics, several KAI freight customers also recorded significant growth from January to September 2026. PT Turba Bara Bany Enim increased its volume from 911,612 tons in 2025 to 2,347,582 tons in 2026, representing 157.5 percent growth.

PT Mustika Indah Permai recorded a 32.7 percent increase, from 2,721,149 tons to 3,609,664 tons. Meanwhile, PT Bukit Bara Alam increased its volume by approximately 26 percent, from 514,316 tons to 647,986 tons.

The growth among several customers reflects increasing capacity needs across a number of coal transportation corridors in Sumatra. Capacity management continues to consider customer demand, infrastructure and rolling stock readiness, as well as railway safety.

Overall, KAI’s coal transportation volume through September 2026 was 1.48 percent lower than the 42,234,185 tons recorded during the same period in 2025. The movement reflects changing production levels, customer demand, and broader industry conditions.

Beyond coal, rail freight continues to expand across a wider range of commodities. Cement and clinker, containers, fuel, plantation products, retail goods, fertilizer, and agricultural products are among the commodities included in the growing non-coal freight portfolio.

The role of freight transportation is becoming increasingly relevant alongside the growth of national trade. From January to July 2026, Indonesia’s total exports reached US$167.03 billion, increasing 4.43 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. Non-oil and gas exports reached US$160.01 billion, growing 5.21 percent.

To support these flows, KAI continues to manage railway capacity, rolling stock, infrastructure, terminals, and freight operating patterns to meet industry needs while maintaining railway safety.

With high capacity and scheduled operations, rail transportation has growing potential to support the movement of Indonesia’s major commodities. From production areas across Sumatra to the next distribution point, railways continue to play an important role in keeping Indonesia’s logistics network moving.