The container terminal operator named a multipurpose building in honor of Capt. Nazahar Naamin, recognizing his role in Indonesia’s early containerization era and seeking to inspire future port professionals amid technological change
PT Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) has named a multipurpose building in honor of Capt. Nazahar Naamin, a port executive who helped develop container operations at Tanjung Priok in the early 1970s.
The inauguration on Thursday marked a tribute to a figure involved in the transformation of Indonesia’s main seaport as the industry shifted from conventional cargo handling to container-based shipping.
Capt Naamin joined the Container Terminal Unit in 1973, when containerization was beginning to reshape port operations. His career later included roles as head of the Container Terminal Unit, head of the Tanjung Priok port branch and director of operations at Pelindo II.
JICT President Director Ade Hartono said the terminal’s development reflected the contributions of successive generations of port workers and executives.
“The progress we enjoy today did not happen overnight. There were generations before us who had the courage to initiate change, build systems, and lay the foundations. Capt. Naamin was part of that journey,” Ade said at the inauguration in North Jakarta.
He said the challenges facing the port industry had evolved, with digitalization, automation, sustainability and supply-chain shifts now adding to the demands on operators.
“The challenges may change, but the courage to transform must not,” Ade said.
JICT President Commissioner WS Wiryawan said the building was intended not only to preserve Capt Naamin’s memory but also to encourage younger professionals to take responsibility for the industry’s future.
“I hope that this place will give rise to new ‘Capt. Naamins’ — a generation of port professionals who have the courage to take the initiative, the integrity to uphold their responsibilities, and the vision to drive change in their era,” Wiryawan said.
“The best way to honor a legacy is not just to remember the name, but to carry on the spirit,” he added.
For Capt Naamin’s family, the recognition carried personal significance. His wife, Mieke Naamin, thanked JICT for commemorating her late husband’s service and dedication.
“To us, this is about more than just a name on a building; it signifies that his hard work and dedication are still remembered and remain meaningful to today’s generation,” she said.
More than five decades after Capt Naamin joined the Container Terminal Unit, Tanjung Priok’s operations have grown in scale and complexity. JICT now has an annual handling capacity of more than 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a standard measure of container traffic.
The company said it continues to pursue equipment modernization, digitalization, operational resilience and workforce development, alongside its “Green Terminal” agenda.
The tribute comes as port operators face pressure to adapt to technological advances and changing global trade patterns. For JICT, Capt Naamin’s career offers a link between the early development of containerization and the industry’s ongoing transformation.
