MEMPAWAH, Thekabarnews.com—West Kalimantan has made a historic breakthrough in the development of logistics and international trade. The region achieved this by launching its first direct export container service through Kijing Terminal in Mempawah Regency.

The first shipment departed the port on Monday, 29 June. This event signified the start of direct international container export operations from West Kalimantan. Previously, exports depended on domestic transshipment ports in other provinces.

West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan officially launched the maiden export at the Kijing Terminal in Sungai Kunyit District. He called it a historic step in boosting the province’s position in Indonesia’s international trade network.

On the occasion, Norsan expressed his gratitude to PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero), PT Pulau Laut Line, and all government agencies and stakeholders. These groups worked together to make Kijing Terminal an international export gateway.

The governor stated that the launch of direct container export services is a strategic breakthrough. It will enhance the economic competitiveness of the region by reducing logistics costs and shortening delivery times.

“With Kijing Terminal now functioning as a direct export gate, our logistics chain is now much shorter, distribution costs will be much lower, and the competitiveness of West Kalimantan’s leading products in the global market will continue to improve,” Norsan said during the opening ceremony, as reported by local media.

For many years, exporters shipped most of West Kalimantan’s commodities to major ports such as Jakarta and Surabaya before sending them to international markets. Then they were sent on to their overseas destinations.

The extra transportation step increased logistics costs, extended transit times, and diminished the competitiveness of regional exports.

Direct international container services are expected to eliminate those inefficiencies. Therefore, exporters will be able to ship directly from West Kalimantan to world markets.

The new export route could benefit a range of industries. These include palm oil, rubber, timber products, bauxite derivatives, fisheries, and other agricultural commodities underpinning the province’s export economy.

Direct export services will not only reduce transportation costs but also improve supply chain reliability. Furthermore, they will increase export volumes and attract new investments to the industrial and logistics sectors in West Kalimantan.

Kijing Terminal is built as a strategic national port project in Indonesia. Its goal is to strengthen maritime connectivity and support economic growth in West Kalimantan.

The move is part of a wider government drive to boost logistics efficiency and cut regional imbalances in infrastructure development.

Business groups have long been calling for direct export facilities in West Kalimantan. They say dependence on transshipment ports outside the province put local exporters at a competitive disadvantage. This was especially the case when compared with businesses near Indonesia’s bigger ports.

“We hope Kijing Terminal will become a major gateway for global trade in West Kalimantan through direct international shipping,” Governor Norsan said.

Officials also hope the port will bring new economic opportunities, encourage investment, create jobs, and further cement the province’s status as one of Indonesia’s key export hubs.

The first container shipment is not only the start of a new logistics service. It is also a big step in strengthening West Kalimantan’s integration into international supply chains and increasing its footprint in the global market.