Indonesian freight forwarder posts higher revenue and cargo volumes, supported by stronger imports and consolidation services, while expanding logistics capabilities amid global shipping disruptions
Indonesian freight forwarder Gateway Container Line reported higher revenue and cargo volumes in the first half of 2026, driven by stronger import activity and growth in its core less-than-container load (LCL) consolidation business despite continued volatility in global shipping markets.
The company said first-half revenue rose 11.81% from a year earlier. Export cargo volumes increased 3.34%, while import volumes climbed 17.47%, reflecting stronger domestic trade activity and demand for logistics services.
“We recorded positive growth compared with the same period last year, driven by higher volumes from existing customers, new customer acquisitions and stronger performance in our less-than-container load (LCL) and air freight businesses,” Gateway Container Line Director Hesty Rosmawaty said.
Hesty said the company remained focused on profitability rather than pursuing shipment volumes at the expense of margins.
“We do not want to pursue volume at the expense of margins. Our principle is profitable growth,” she said.
Gateway’s core business is LCL consolidation, which combines shipments from multiple customers into a single container to reduce transportation costs. The company said demand for the service continued to grow as small and medium-sized enterprises expanded their international trade activities.
While LCL remains its largest business segment, Gateway has expanded into full-container-load (FCL) shipping, air freight, customs brokerage, warehousing, trucking and integrated logistics services to provide end-to-end supply chain solutions.
“Our strategy is not to move away from our core business but to strengthen it through a more integrated approach,” Hesty said.
The company also benefited from stronger import demand, particularly for LCL imports, customs clearance, trucking and domestic distribution. Rising Indonesian non-oil and gas imports during the period supported broader demand for logistics services.
Hesty said Gateway’s long-term strategy includes expanding its customer base, strengthening overseas agency partnerships, enhancing cargo consolidation capabilities and accelerating digitalization to reduce reliance on any single trade route or market.
She said customers were increasingly prioritizing schedule reliability and shipment visibility over freight rates as supply chain disruptions persisted.
“We see customers demanding more reliable services. They want real-time visibility of their cargo and alternative solutions when shipping schedules are disrupted,” she said.
Asia remained Gateway’s largest export market, although the company is expanding its network into India, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America to diversify its international business.
Among its regional operations, the Semarang branch recorded the strongest first-half performance, with revenue growing about 3% as manufacturing activity expanded in Central Java, particularly in Batang and Kendal. Hesty said the improvement reflected a broader shift in Indonesia’s industrial base rather than a temporary trend.
The Surabaya branch reported a roughly 3% decline in revenue due to continued shipping schedule disruptions. The company expects conditions to improve as manufacturing activity strengthens in East Java and eastern Indonesia.
To mitigate ongoing supply chain disruptions, Gateway has expanded alternative shipping routes and contingency planning to help customers manage delays, blank sailings and port congestion.
“We must be able to offer multiple routing options so customers can keep their supply chains running despite uncertainty in global shipping,” Hesty said.
