Tanjung Priok in Gridlock: A Wake-Up Call for Better Cargo Handling

Congestion in the access road to Tanjung Priok Port is commonplace. However, in mid-April, an extraordinary traffic jam lasted for three days.

This wasn’t normal at all; it was one of the most severe occurrences in 2025. The horrific traffic jam led to a protest by some trade unions on April 20 as it impaired the performance and livelihood of port workers. 

Indonesian state-owned port operation company Pelindo explained that the congestion was caused by the aggregated receipt and delivery operations of containers after the restrictions on goods transportation during Eid. The situation was aggravated by the long weekend on April 18-20.

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The Cause of the Horrific Traffic Jam

According to various sources, the horrific traffic jam was caused by several factors. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said that there was a surge in cargo handling activities amounting to up to 4,000 trucks. The port, however, could only accommodate 2,500 trucks.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Transportation Community (MTI) mentioned the over-reliance on road transport to access the port.

Rail transport, as an alternative, is considered expensive and less practical because it uses non-subsidized fuel. So, an 11-percent VAT and a track access charge (TAC) are imposed.

In addition, the Tanjung Priok Port is considered to focus more on improving its water-side capacity, while development on the land side is neglected.

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Anticipating Port Congestion

There are several solutions to prevent similar traffic jams. For example, the buffer zone can be redeveloped by creating a designated space spanning at least 1 km long that separates the port from the surrounding commercial and residential areas. Thus, this zone should be free from buildings. 

The annual surge in port handling due to post-Eid holiday restrictions should have been anticipated earlier. Investment in the loading and unloading equipment should be made to speed up the operation.

Pelindo said that the traffic jam was also caused by delays in ship docking at New Priok Container Terminal 1 (NPCT1).

To reduce the congestion at NPCT1, Pelindo, together with relevant authorities, will soon move the docking to another terminal. Pelindo will also accelerate the adoption of the Terminal Booking System (TBS).

Furthermore, as a long-term solution, Pelindo is planning to construct a new road called the New Priok Eastern Access (NPEA), which will directly connect the NPCT1 to the port toll road.

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Above, we have learned the possible cause of the horrific traffic jam in Tanjung Priok last April and the preventive measures to avoid similar problems. 

Obviously, Pelindo, as the port authority, cannot work alone to solve this issue. It requires collaboration and cooperation between all stakeholders, including actors in the logistics industry.

Therefore, a professional logistics partner that provides high-quality logistics transportation services is essential to ensure more effective and efficient freight transport.

About SELOG Services

One logistics company you can partner with is SELOG, a business unit of PT Serasi Autoraya (SERA) and part of the Astra Group.

With more than 20 years of experience, SELOG offers a wide range of comprehensive and end-to-end logistics services, such as Trucking, Shipping Services, Freight Forwarding, Warehousing, and Project Cargo.

SELOG’s trucking services include Last Mile, Long Haul, and Less Than Truckload (LTL), accommodating deliveries to remote locations with a diverse fleet, from Blind Vans to CDE Trucks.

In addition, SELOG services bring greater convenience, effectiveness, and efficiency to your business by leveraging the latest digital technologies, including the Astra Fleet Management Solution (AstraFMS) and Warehouse Management System (WMS).

Both technologies make it easier for businesses to track the delivery vehicles in real time and ensure the safety of vehicles and drivers. They also help optimize the process of goods receipt, storage, stock management, pick-up, packaging, and shipping.