Java and Sumatra Drive KAI’s Non-Coal Freight Operations

Logistics needs vary across Indonesia. Industrial areas require a steady supply of raw materials, distribution centres depend on smooth deliveries, and regions across the country serve as origins and destinations for commodities that support economic activity. To connect these needs, rail is one of the transport options capable of moving large volumes of goods across networks in Java and Sumatra.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), or KAI, transports a range of non-coal commodities, including industrial goods, containers, fuel, plantation products, and retail goods. From January to September 2026, KAI’s non-coal freight volume reached 9,148,571 tons, an increase of 2.6% from 8,912,566 tons in the same period in 2025.

KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba explained that distribution needs differ from one region to another. Freight services must therefore take customer requirements, track readiness, and operational capacity into account to accommodate the characteristics of each corridor.

Of the total volume, KAI’s operating regions in Java handled 6,684,683 tons of non-coal freight, while Sumatra accounted for 2,463,889 tons. Java contributed approximately 73% of the total volume, with Sumatra accounting for the remaining 27%.

In Java, freight services operate across nine regional operating areas. Daop 1 Jakarta recorded the highest volume at 2,567,115 tons, followed by Daop 8 Surabaya with 2,260,233 tons and Daop 5 Purwokerto with 1,006,418 tons. The other operating areas also serve freight requirements according to the needs and characteristics of their respective regions.

In Sumatra, non-coal freight services are managed through four regional divisions. Divre II West Sumatra recorded 893,635 tons, followed by Divre III Palembang with 646,893 tons, Divre I North Sumatra with 626,185 tons, and Divre IV Tanjungkarang with 297,175 tons during January–September 2026.

Anne noted that the distribution of freight volumes highlights the importance of planning services around regional needs. Rolling stock readiness, track capacity, loading and unloading facilities, and reliable schedules are among the factors that must be considered to ensure shipments meet customer requirements.

According to Anne, freight development should also begin with an understanding of customer needs and each region’s economic potential. With proper planning for train capacity, infrastructure readiness, and shipment patterns, rail transport has room to serve a wider range of distribution needs.

Moving forward, KAI will continue to assess opportunities to expand its freight services based on regional potential, industrial demand, and network readiness. These efforts are intended to strengthen rail’s role as a transport option for businesses planning interregional shipments.

Every region contributes to the movement of Indonesia’s logistics network. KAI aims to ensure that its freight network and services can be used according to customer needs through measured planning and reliable operations.