KAI Container Transportation Grows 19 Percent, Supporting Logistics Efficiency and National Industrial Connectivity
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) continues to develop rail-based freight transportation services to support the needs of national industries and logistics distribution. One of the services experiencing positive growth is container transportation, with an increase in volume from January to August 2026.
KAI data recorded container transportation volume at 3,928,221 tons from January to August 2026, an increase of 19.24 percent compared to the same period in 2025, which recorded 3,294,255 tons. The increase was equivalent to an additional volume of 633,966 tons.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba said that the growth in container transportation demonstrates the increasing utilization of rail-based transportation to support the distribution of goods with large capacities, scheduled journeys, and connectivity between regions.
“The 19.24 percent growth in container transportation through August 2026 shows that the need for efficient logistics services continues to grow. KAI provides freight transportation services that support industrial activities through a railway network connecting various production and distribution areas, as well as trade hubs,” said Anne.
According to Anne, smooth logistics distribution is closely related to industrial competitiveness, as transportation costs are one of the components of the supply chain. Railway transportation offers large shipping capacity with regular schedules, making it an option for industrial customers in managing their goods distribution needs.
“Through the development of container transportation, KAI supports companies in obtaining transportation options that offer travel certainty and are capable of handling large-volume shipments,” said Anne.
The growth in container transportation is also in line with the development of industrial areas and new logistics hubs in Indonesia. One of these is the development of the Batang Integrated Industrial Estate (KITB), which is being developed as an integrated logistics ecosystem through the connectivity of dry ports, seaports, railways, warehouses, trucking, container yards, and hinterland distribution networks.
As part of the development of KITB connectivity, railways are among the modes being studied to support the movement of goods to several major logistics hubs, such as Tanjung Priok, Kalimas/Tanjung Perak Surabaya, and Patimban. The study considers factors such as distance, cargo volume, origin and destination of shipments, commodity characteristics, and intermodal logistics cost efficiency.
The development of the KITB dry port is designed as part of an integrated logistics system connecting industrial activities, storage, distribution, and multimodal transportation. Based on the development roadmap, the KITB dry port is targeted to enter its initial operational stage around 2028, providing container handling, rail service, trucking, warehouse, and empty depot services to support the consolidation of cargo flows in the industrial estate and surrounding areas.
Anne said that KAI will continue to develop freight transportation services through the optimization of freight train journeys, increased cooperation with industrial customers, and service integration with various logistics stakeholders.
“Going forward, KAI will continue to improve the quality of container transportation services through network development, increased operational capacity, and collaboration with various parties to support national logistics needs,” said Anne.
With container transportation volume growing by 19.24 percent and the development of various strategic logistics hubs, KAI continues to provide rail-based freight transportation services that support industrial distribution, trade, and connectivity between regions.
VP Corporate Communication KAI