NEWS & BLOG

Ongoing Congestion at Semarang Port: March Land Transport May Face Further Restrictions

Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-02-27 Origin: Site

Since late December 2025, Indonesia’s Semarang Port has been under heavy operational pressure due to a sharp surge in inbound cargo volumes. Congestion has not been fundamentally resolved, with yard utilization remaining overloaded for months.

Holiday-related road restrictions at the end of 2025 slowed customs clearance and reduced port efficiency. Despite control measures introduced by port authorities, ongoing growth in import and export volumes and disrupted feeder vessel schedules continue to limit yard space, loading, unloading, and internal logistics.

Strict Port Controls Limit Early Container Entry

To ease pressure on terminal yards, operators have imposed strict rules. Early container drop‑offs before official gate opening are no longer allowed, and early stacking is restricted. While these rules aim to stabilize operations, they have slowed container pick-up and return speeds, further straining the logistics chain.

March Ramadan & Idul Fitri to Tighten Land Transport

In March 2026, Indonesia’s upcoming Idul Fitri holiday is expected to add new pressure. Under a government joint decree, heavy vehicles will be restricted from March 13 to 29 on toll roads and major routes.

The ban applies to tri‑axle and above heavy trucks, trailers, semi‑trailers, and vehicles carrying minerals or construction bulk cargo. Although designed to ensure safe holiday travel, the policy will cut truck capacity to and from Semarang Port, extend transit times, and likely increase inland transport costs.

Vehicles transporting fuel, livestock, fertilizer, disaster relief, and essential goods are exempt.

Shippers Advised to Ship Early; Alternative Routes Carry Extra Costs

With land transport restrictions confirmed, local industry guidance urges shippers and carriers to complete deliveries before March 13 to avoid delays.

For cargo unable to move before the ban, some carriers offer alternative routing via Jakarta or Surabaya ports, though this involves extra OTAD (Overtime and Additional Destination) charges. Carriers including ONE and CMA CGM have introduced adjusted multimodal solutions.

Industry observers warn that Semarang Port will remain under pressure in the short term due to high yard usage, unstable vessel schedules, and upcoming land transport limits.

Shippers and freight forwarders should monitor updates closely, plan routes and timelines in advance, and maintain close communication with logistics providers to minimize supply chain risks. For shipment-specific updates, contact carriers directly for the latest operational instructions.

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