Surabaya (3/6), early June 2021, the operation of rail logistics transportation services that connect the Surabaya Container Terminal (TPS) with Kalimas Station will begin. This was done after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between 4 companies namely TPS, BMC Logistics, PT Krakatau Jasa Logistik (KJL) and PT Krakatau Bandar Samudera (KBS), on April 29, 2021, right at the moment of the anniversary. TPS.

In the MoU, it was agreed to cooperate in container transportation activities from and to the Surabaya Container Terminal with the train mode of transportation.

Previously, the trial of the logistics train line for the TPS - Kalimas Station was carried out on Tuesday (25/5) and went smoothly. Today, Thursday (3/6), the President Director of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) (PT KAI), Didiek Hartantyo, President Director of Pelindo III, and President Director of TPS have reacted the rail logistics transportation integrated with the container terminal at the TPS. Also present at the reactivation event were the President Director of BMC Logistics, the President Director of KBS and the President Director of KJL.

On this occasion of reactivation, the President Director of TPS, Dothy, expressed hope that with this collaboration, the operation of rail logistics transportation can provide more value for the logistics industry and a more competitive national port.

"This collaboration is also an effort to support the SOE Ministry's program to continue to synergize, in this case the synergy between KAI and Pelindo III," said Dothy.

President Director of PT KAI, Didiek Hartantyo said the railway line which is integrated with the container terminal will provide convenience for goods owners or logistics transport business actors who will send goods to and from Tanjung Perak port, Surabaya.

Didiek hopes that the Surabaya Container Terminal which is re-integrated with rail transportation can contribute to the progress of national logistics transportation that is effective, efficient, and can reduce the logistics burden on the highway.

"The reactivation of the integrated railway line with the Surabaya Container Terminal is in line with KAI's vision, which is to become the best transportation ecosystem solution for Indonesia," said Didiek.

Pelindo III President Director Boy Robyanto said that the use of the railway line at the Surabaya Container Terminal is expected to be able to support the smooth flow of goods distribution both to and from the port. According to him, the use of trains can be a solution to reduce traffic congestion that occurs on the highway. In addition, the use of trains is expected to be able to accelerate the movement of goods because it has a special track that is free from obstacles.

Boy added, in addition to the Tanjung Perak Port, the railway line is also located at the Tanjung Emas Port, Semarang. The line is located in the Semarang Perikemas Terminal area which is connected to Tawang Station.

"We hope that after the reactivation of the railway line at the Surabaya Container Terminal, which is part of the Tanjung Perak Port, it can be immediately followed by the reactivation of other railway lines such as the one at Tanjung Emas Port, Semarang," he said.

The Surabaya Container Terminal line - Kalimas Station has been reactivated after its last operation on March 30, 2016. PT KAI has made various preparations before the line is declared operational, including dismantling the material covering the rail road, replacing new drafts and rail bearings, and improving the position of the rail.

After the reactivation process has been carried out, the Surabaya Container Terminal has 2 (two) railway lines, each of which is able to accommodate container freight trains with a series of 10 GDs, so that the total loading capacity of the Surabaya Container Terminal is 20 GD with a capacity of 40 TEUs.

The reactivation of the route is a manifestation of the implementation of the MoU between KAI and Pelindo III as the parent business of the Surabaya Container Terminal which was carried out in November 2020.

With the activity of transporting containers using trains as a mode of transportation, it certainly enriches alternative goods distribution for customers, in addition to using trucks as the available hinterland transportation mode so far.