All Other Sulawesi Ports, Indonesia
Gateway ports serving eastern Indonesia's inter-island trade and regional connectivity.
Port Overview
All Other Sulawesi Ports in Indonesia, aside from Makassar and Bitung, are located along the island’s extensive coastline, including Gorontalo, Kendari, and Palu. These ports are smaller in size and ranking compared to Makassar and Bitung, typically handling regional cargo and supporting local industries such as agriculture, fisheries, and mining. Their strategic importance lies in facilitating inter-island connectivity and serving as feeder ports to the main Sulawesi hubs. Annual TEU capacity for these secondary ports generally ranges from several thousand to tens of thousands, reflecting their role in regional rather than major international trade.
Facilities & Infrastructure
All Other Sulawesi Ports in Indonesia feature key facilities such as container terminals, multipurpose wharves, and bulk cargo berths. Major ports like Makassar and Bitung are equipped with container cranes, mobile cranes, forklifts, and warehouses. Makassar New Port offers deep-water berths and advanced handling equipment, while Bitung provides container and dry cargo wharves, pilot boats, and support for both domestic and international shipping. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are not widely reported in these ports.
Container Terminals
All other Sulawesi container ports, notably Makassar and Bitung, feature modern terminals. Makassar has 4 main berths, a capacity of about 1 million TEUs annually, moderate automation with advanced handling equipment, and is operated by Pelindo IV. Bitung port has 2 dedicated container berths, a capacity of around 250,000 TEUs, basic mechanization, and is also managed by Pelindo IV. Both serve as key regional hubs for eastern Indonesia.
Port Services
- Container handling: Facilities for loading, unloading, and storage of containers for domestic and international shipping.
- Cargo operations: Handling of general cargo, bulk, breakbulk, and specialized cargo types.
- Ship services: Provision of pilotage, towage, bunkering, fresh water supply, and waste disposal.
- Warehousing: Covered and open storage areas for short- and long-term cargo storage.
- Customs: On-site customs clearance and inspection services to facilitate import and export processes.
Global Connectivity
All Other Sulawesi Ports in Indonesia provide regional connectivity across Central, Southeast, and North Sulawesi, linking cities such as Poso, Palopo, and Kendari. These ports serve domestic shipping routes to major hubs like Makassar and Surabaya, facilitating trade within Sulawesi and to Java, Kalimantan, and eastern Indonesia. They support general cargo, tankers, and passenger vessels, enabling access to both local markets and broader inter-island shipping networks.
Port Statistics
All Other Sulawesi Ports, Indonesia – Key Statistics
- TEU Throughput: Makassar New Port (MNP) is the largest, with capacity up to 2.5 million TEUs per year; Pantoloan Port handled 108,266 TEUs in 2023. Other Sulawesi ports have significantly lower volumes.
- World Ranking: Not in the global top 50; MNP is Indonesia’s second largest outside Java.
- Number of Berths: MNP has 16 berths; other Sulawesi ports typically have 2–6 berths each.
- Port Area: MNP covers approximately 52 hectares; other ports are smaller.
- Shipping Lines: Served by major regional and domestic lines, including Pelindo, Meratus, Temas Line, and Samudera Shipping.
