KAI Transports 1.83 Million Tons of Cement and Clinker, Supporting Industrial Distribution

Cement and clinker play an important role in the movement of industrial materials across Indonesia. From January to September 2026, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) (KAI) transported 1,829,352 tons of cement and clinker by rail. These commodities contributed to KAI’s non-coal freight volume, which reached 9,148,571 tons over the same period.

Compared with the end of July 2026, when the volume stood at 1,357,524 tons, cement and clinker shipments increased by approximately 471,828 tons during August and September. The figures show that industrial material distribution remained active through the end of the third quarter of 2026.

KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba explained that cement and clinker are well suited to rail freight because they require large-volume, recurring shipments along specific corridors. Scheduled rail services provide an option for transporting materials from production areas to processing facilities and distribution points, helping support the continuity of manufacturing and construction activities.

Over the nine-month period, the total volume was equivalent to an average of around 6,700 tons per calendar day. This highlights the substantial transportation needs for materials used in housing, public facilities, industrial estates, and construction projects across various regions.

KAI’s cement and clinker freight services operate along several corridors in Java and Sumatra. In South Sumatra, rail is part of the distribution chain for Semen Baturaja. In West Sumatra, meanwhile, the railway network connects the Indarung industrial area with Bukit Putus, which is linked to the Teluk Bayur Port area.

Each corridor has a different distribution pattern, depending on factory locations, processing facilities, terminals, and customer requirements. Anne noted that industrial customers need to move large volumes of goods on predictable schedules. To meet these needs, KAI adjusts its services based on track capacity, rolling stock readiness, terminal facilities, and each customer’s requirements.

Cement and clinker are also part of KAI’s increasingly diverse non-coal freight portfolio. As of September 2026, non-coal freight volume reached 9.15 million tons, up 2.6% from the same period last year.

According to Anne, rail freight has significant potential to serve high-volume commodities because a single train can carry a substantial amount of cargo in one trip. Every ton of material transported by rail helps keep production and distribution chains moving. KAI will therefore continue to maintain service reliability, giving industrial customers a transportation option that meets their business needs.