East Java Multipurpose Terminal (EJMT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation in Lamongan Regency, Indonesia, received the inaugural call of Meratus Line’s SBON service on Sunday, 3 December.

The weekly domestic service is operated by two 629-TEU multipurpose vessels and calls the Indonesian ports of Surabaya, Makassar, Ambon and Lamongan. The recent addition of Lamongan to the port rotation provides customers from the Lamongan and Tuban area with access to the Makassar and Ambon markets.

“We congratulate Meratus Line on the newly added Lamongan port call to their SBON service. With the new service calling at our terminal, it will provide our surrounding customers with closer port access and an empty depot located in the same facility that allows trucks to complete two-way running with containers. Hence, we expect a reduction in their transport costs and overall carbon emissions,” said Patrick Chan, EJMT chief executive officer.

Meratus Pekanbaru, one of the two vessels operating the SBON service

The collaboration between EJMT and Meratus Line is aligned with the latter’s goal of enhancing connectivity in Indonesia and enabling industry owners to expand their businesses.

“Seeing the potential for Lamongan to become a new industrial center in East Java, we aim to consistently support these plans and strategic developments by streamlining logistics,” explained Budi Pranoto, Meratus Logistics chief commercial officer.

EJMT is currently building a new multipurpose facility that consists of a new breakwater, a 300-meter quay line, a 500-meter swinging basin, two post-Panamax mobile harbor cranes, various cargo handling equipment and a 13.5-meter draft. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2024.