Samudera Shipping Line is Indonesia’s leading container operator, according to Alphaliner’s in-depth report on the role the country plays in international shipping.
The shipping company operates a 45,000 TEU fleet. Meratus Group is in second place with just under 44,000 TEUs. Despite having a slightly lower capacity, Meratus has the largest fleet, with 66 vessels. Unlike Samudera, which utilises 90% of its capacity on international routes, the Surabaya-based carrier currently deploys only around 16% of its capacity on international regional services.
The other three operators in the top five — Tanto Intim Line (over 39,000 TEU), PT Salam Pacific Indonesia Lines (SPIL) (over 31,500 TEU) and PT TEMAS Tbk. (almost 18,000 TEU) — remain focused on domestic traffic between Indonesia’s islands.
With a population of over 280 million, Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world. The world’s largest archipelagic state comprises some 17,000 islands, stretching for almost 5,000 kilometres between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. This geographical layout makes the sea an essential component of its national goods transport and distribution network.
The country has a strategic geographical position at some of the world’s key maritime chokepoints. They include the Straits of Malacca, Sunda, Lombok and Makassar, which major trade flows between Asia, the Middle East and Europe pass through.
Translation by Giles Foster
