The world’s largest container shipping line has launched Patimban’s first scheduled international liner service, with more carriers considering the port as Indonesia expands its maritime logistics network.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) launched its first regular weekly container service from Patimban Port on Thursday. This milestone marks the port’s entry into scheduled international liner shipping and strengthens its role as a strategic complementary gateway to Tanjung Priok.
The inaugural call by the MSC Aria III Monrovia establishes a weekly service linking Patimban with Singapore, Port Klang in Malaysia, Laem Chabang in Thailand, and Hong Kong. The new route provides exporters and importers in West Java with direct access to major regional transshipment hubs and broader global shipping networks.
During the launch, the vessel loaded 1,200 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs)—comprising 765 boxes (716 empty containers and 49 export containers). Supported by two mobile harbor cranes, cargo operations are expected to be completed within a day and a half.
PT Patimban Global Gateway Terminal (PGT) President Director Pierre Avesque noted that the new route follows a successful trial call in March and reflects MSC’s long-term commitment to the port.
“MSC ships will operate from Patimban Port on a regular weekly basis,” Avesque told reporters during a media visit on Thursday. “We need to emphasize that Tanjung Priok and Patimban are not competitors, but complement each other. Both ports will play important roles in supporting Indonesia’s expanding trade volumes.”
Building on Car Terminal Success
Patimban Port, which began commercial operations in 2021, is leveraging the strong performance of its car terminal to accelerate its container business. Rising automotive exports and expanded port capacity have cemented its position as a vital new logistics gateway.
The 22.4-hectare car terminal has an annual design capacity of 218,000 completely built-up (CBU) vehicles. Recent data highlights its rapid growth and high utilization rates:
- 2025 Performance: Handled a total of 204,774 vehicles (125,705 exports, 13,381 imports, and 65,688 domestic shipments).
- H1 2026 Performance: Processed 107,458 vehicles (63,086 exports, 7,262 imports, and 37,110 domestic shipments).
- Vessel Traffic: Averages 21 to 26 vehicle carriers per month.
Hiroyuki Yazawa, President Director of PT Patimban International Car Terminal (PICT), explained that a recent deepening of the port channel and berth to -14 meters below low water spring (LWS) has allowed the facility to accommodate much larger vessels.
“Previously, incoming ships could carry a maximum of around 4,000 vehicles. After the berth depth was increased, capacity rose to between 5,000 and 6,000 vehicles,” Yazawa said. He added that the port is actively engaging global automakers, including Japan’s major manufacturers, China’s BYD, and Vietnam’s VinFast.
Terminal Expansion: New Cranes Ready Before Year-End
Building on this momentum, Patimban is rapidly scaling its container shipping capabilities to serve the growing industrial corridors in West Java and Central Java. The container terminal is managed by PGT—a consortium comprising Africa Global Logistics, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and PT Samudera Pelabuhan Indonesia.
PT Pelabuhan Patimban Internasional (PPI) Chief Executive Officer Fuad Rizal outlined the terminal’s development trajectory:
- Current Capacity: Installed capacity stands at around 200,000 TEUs.
- Short-Term Target: Expected to increase to 600,000 TEUs following the current expansion phase.
- Long-Term Master Plan: The container berth will be extended from 420 meters to 800 meters, increasing the terminal’s design capacity to 3.9 million TEUs annually.
To support this immediate expansion, the terminal will receive three new quay cranes (QCs) and nine rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) in November.
More Shipping Lines to Come
Infrastructure improvements are expected to attract even more international and domestic shipping lines. Moh. Arief Agustian, Head of the Patimban Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), stressed that efficient road access is critical to this long-term growth.
“We hope the toll road access to and from Patimban Port will be completed in the first half of 2027, which will significantly facilitate the movement of goods,” Arief stated, noting it will provide West Java exporters with a closer gateway and ease congestion at Tanjung Priok.
Interest in the port has surged since MSC’s arrival. “Following today’s MSC ship, more global container shipping companies and domestic shipping companies have expressed interest in entering Patimban. Some domestic operators have already applied for route permits,” Arief added.
The arrival of MSC’s scheduled service marks a pivotal milestone in Patimban’s transformation from a dedicated vehicle export terminal into a comprehensive international logistics hub, driving Indonesia’s ambition to build a resilient and diversified maritime network.
