East Java Multipurpose Terminal (EJMT), a key operation by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) in Lamongan Regency, Indonesia, recently marked a milestone with the inaugural call of Meratus Line’s SBON service. The weekly domestic service, operated by two 629 TEU multipurpose vessels, now includes the Indonesian ports of Surabaya, Makassar, Ambon, and Lamongan.
The addition of Lamongan to the port rotation is significant, providing customers from the Lamongan and Tuban area with expanded access to the Makassar and Ambon markets. Patrick Chan, CEO of EJMT, expressed his congratulations to Meratus Line for this strategic expansion, emphasizing the positive impact on local businesses.
“With the new service calling at our terminal, it will provide our surrounding customers with closer port access and an empty depot located in the same facility that allows trucks to complete two-way running with containers. Hence, we expect a reduction in their transport costs and overall carbon emissions,” added Chan.
The collaboration between EJMT and Meratus Line is not only a testament to business growth but also aligned with Meratus Line’s broader goal of enhancing connectivity in Indonesia. Budi Pranoto, Chief Commercial Officer of Meratus Logistics, highlighted the commitment to supporting Lamongan’s potential as a new industrial center in East Java.
The strategic partnership aims to streamline logistics, offering industry owners the means to expand their businesses efficiently. EJMT, situated within the 80-hectare Lamongan Shorebase complex supporting Indonesia’s offshore oil and gas industry, plays a pivotal role in this initiative.
Currently, EJMT is in the process of constructing a new multipurpose facility, featuring a breakwater, a 300-meter quay line, a 500-meter swinging basin, two post-Panamax mobile harbor cranes, various cargo handling equipment, and a 13.5-meter draft. Scheduled for completion in September 2024, this infrastructure development underscores the commitment to facilitating trade and fostering economic growth in the region.
This expansion of services comes amid other notable developments in the ICTSI network, exemplified by South Pacific International Container Terminal (SPICT) and Motukea International Terminal (MIT) recently welcoming the largest boxship to ever dock in the Pacific Islands region.
As the maritime landscape evolves, initiatives like the Meratus Line’s SBON service expansion to EJMT contribute to the overall goal of creating efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious trade routes, benefitting both local industries and the broader global supply chain.
