Indonesia’s busiest port outside Java, Belawan is Sumatra’s key gateway for global trade and natural resource exports.
Belawan is a major seaport located on the northeast coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, serving the city of Medan. It is the busiest port in Indonesia outside of Java and ranks among the country’s top container ports. Strategically positioned near the Strait of Malacca, Belawan is a key gateway for exports such as palm oil, rubber, and coffee, connecting Sumatra’s resources to global markets. The port’s annual container capacity is expanding, with recent figures around 1.2 million TEUs and plans to increase to 2 million TEUs.
Belawan Port features the Belawan International Container Terminal (BICT), Sumatra’s largest container facility, with deep-water berths and modern container yards. Key terminals handle containers, bulk, and oil cargo. The port is equipped with advanced automated cranes, dedicated storage areas, and integrated access to highways and rail links. Facilities support efficient vessel turnaround and smooth handling of bulk and containerized shipments, though AGVs are not specifically mentioned among the equipment.
Belawan’s main container terminal, the Belawan New Container Terminal (BNCT), has a quay length of about 1,556 meters with several berths, supporting both domestic and international operations. Its current capacity is 600,000 TEUs, with expansion plans to reach 1.4 million TEUs. The terminal is semi-automated, featuring modern cargo handling and digital systems. Major operators include Pelindo, the Indonesia Investment Authority, and DP World.
Belawan Port, located on Sumatra’s northeast coast near Medan, is a major gateway for Indonesia’s international trade. It connects Sumatra’s industrial and agricultural regions via road and rail, serving as a hub for exports like palm oil. Strategically positioned on the Malacca Strait, Belawan links to key Asian ports such as Singapore, Malaysia, and China, and offers shipping routes to Europe and other global markets, supporting regular container vessel traffic.
