UN/LOCODE: IDMAK📍 Indonesia
Port of Makassar (UN/LOCODE IDMAK)
❖ Coordinates: -5.1200°N, 119.4000°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Makassar
❖ UN/LOCODE: IDMAK
## About the Port
Makassar Port (UN/LOCODE: **IDMAK**) is the principal maritime gateway for South Sulawesi (Sulawesi Selatan), Indonesia. Situated at **5.12° S, 119.4° E** on the eastern shoreline of the Bay of Bone, the port operates within the **Asia/Makassar** timezone (UTC +8). Its strategic position at the crossroads of the **Indonesian archipelago** and the **Western Pacific** renders it a natural hub for domestic inter‑island traffic and international trade between Southeast Asia, Oceania, and the Indian Ocean corridor. Managed by the **PT Pelabuhan Indonesia IV (Pelindo IV)**, Makassar handles containerized, bulk, break‑bulk, and ro‑ro cargo, serving both commercial shipping lines and the regional fishing fleet.
Key identifiers and logistics data:
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| **UN/LOCODE** | IDMAK |
| **Port Type** | Multi‑commodity (container, bulk, general cargo, liquid bulk, passenger) |
| **Draft (at berths)** | 12 m – 13 m (tide‑dependent) |
| **Berth Length** | 6 × 400 m, 2 × 250 m, 4 × 150 m |
| **Annual Throughput** | ~ 18 million tonnes (2023) |
| **Container TEU** | ~ 450 000 TEU (2023) |
The port’s hinterland spans the high‑productivity agricultural zone of South Sulawesi, the mining districts of Central Sulawesi, and the emerging tourism circuits of the Lesser Sunda Islands, creating a multi‑modal logistics network that integrates road, rail, and intra‑archipelagic coastal shipping.
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## History
### Early Development (16th – 19th century)
Makassar’s maritime significance dates to the 16th century when the **Bugis Sultanate of Gowa** leveraged the natural harbor as a regional entrepôt for spice, timber, and ivory trade. Portuguese, Dutch, and British agents documented the port’s “bountiful anchorage” in their nautical charts, recognizing its shelter from monsoonal swells.
### Colonial Era (1800 – 1945)
During Dutch East Indies rule, Makassar (then **Ujung Pandang**) was upgraded to a **customs house** and later a **coaling station** for the Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij (KPM). The first **quay** and **wet dock** were constructed in 1885, employing Dutch engineering standards that set the foundation for modern port infrastructure.
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1945 – 2000)
Following Indonesia’s independence, the port was nationalized under the **Port Authority of South Sulawesi**. By the 1970s, Makassar accommodated the first container vessels, prompting the erection of a **container terminal** (1978) and an **oil terminal** (1984). The 1990s saw a wave of public‑private partnerships that introduced mechanized cargo handling equipment and expanded berth capacity to support the rapidly growing inter‑island trade.
### 21st‑Century Modernization (2000 – present)
In 2005, Makassar was incorporated into the **Pelindo IV** network, unlocking access to national development funds for dredging and digitalization. A **2021–2025 Master Plan** calls for a **deepening project** to 14 m draft, the construction of a **green logistics zone**, and the implementation of a **Port Community System (PCS)** to streamline customs clearance and vessel scheduling.
For a detailed timeline of Indonesian port developments, see the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) archive↗**.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berthing Facilities
- **Container Terminal**: Equipped with 4 Panamax‑size gantry cranes (45 t lift), 2 Super‑post‑Panamax (60 t), and 12 rubber‑tyred gantries (RTG).
- **General Cargo Berths**: 6 berths with crane capacities ranging from 15 t to 30 t, supporting break‑bulk, project cargo, and ro‑ro vessels.
- **Bulk Terminals**: Dedicated silos for **coal (25 000 t)**, **copper concentrate (15 000 t)**, and **agricultural grains (10 000 t)**, each with conveyor‑driven unloaders.
### Storage & Warehousing
- **Closed Warehouses**: 120 000 m² of climate‑controlled space for perishables, pharmaceuticals, and high‑value electronics.
- **Open Yards**: 350 000 m² for bulk commodities and container stacking, managed via a **Terminal Operating System (TOS)** that optimizes yard allocation.
### Supporting Services
- **Pilotage & Towage**: 24‑hour pilotage provided by the **Bureau of Marine Pilots**, with a fleet of 6 tugs (max bollard pull 48 t).
- **Customs & Clearance**: Integrated with the **Indonesia National Single Window (INSW)** for electronic documentation, reducing dwell time to an average of **10 hours** for containerized cargo.
- **Ship Repair & Bunkering**: A full‑service dry dock (250 m slipway) and a bunkering station supplying **IFO 380** and **MGO**.
### Connectivity
- **Road Links**: Direct connection to the **Trans‑Sulawesi Highway (Jalan Nasional 1)** and proximity to the **Makassar–Parepare toll road**.
- **Rail Access**: A 15 km spur line to the **Makassar Freight Railway** (currently under construction) will enable bulk cargo transfers to Central Sulawesi’s mine sites.
- **Air‑Sea Interface**: Adjacent to **Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport**, facilitating air‑cargo integration for time‑critical goods.
The ongoing **dredging program** (target depth 14 m, 2024‑2028) is designed to accommodate **VLOCs** (Very Large Ore Carriers) and **Post‑Panamax** container ships, strengthening the port’s competitiveness against regional peers like **Balikpapan** and **Surabaya**.
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## Economic Importance
Makassar Port is a linchpin of South Sulawesi’s **GDP**—accounting for roughly **22 %** of the province’s total economic output. Its cargo mix reflects the diversity of the regional economy:
- **Agriculture**: The port handles the export of **cocoa, copra, and spices** from the fertile coastal hinterland, generating an estimated **USD 850 million** annually in export revenues.
- **Mining**: Nickel, copper, and coal from Central Sulawesi’s mining belt transit through Makassar, providing **USD 1.2 billion** in foreign exchange earnings.
- **Manufacturing**: A growing assembly sector for **automotive components** and **textiles** utilizes the container terminal for both inbound raw materials and outbound finished goods.
- **Tourism**: Passenger ferries and cruise ships dock at Makassar, delivering **≈ 1.5 million** tourists per year, many of whom disembark to explore the **Tana Toraja** highlands and the **Togean Islands**.
The port’s **logistics ecosystem** supports over **3 000** direct jobs and an estimated **12 000** indirect positions in trucking, warehousing, and customs services. Moreover, the **Pelindo IV** investment program projects a cumulative **USD 400 million** in capital expenditures by 2027, aimed at enhancing capacity, digitalization, and sustainability (e.g., shore‑power infrastructure and waste‑water treatment).
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Domestic Trade Lanes
- **Jakarta–Makassar**: Primary artery for containerized manufactured goods and inter‑island consumer products.
- **Surabaya–Makassar**: Supports the flow of bulk agricultural commodities (e.g., rice, soybeans).
- **Makassar–Manado**: Critical for the movement of **nickel ore** and **copper concentrate** from the Minahasa hinterland to export terminals.
### International Shipping Corridors
| Destination / Region | Vessel Type | Typical Cargo |
|----------------------|-------------|---------------|
| **Singapore** | Container ships (12,000 TEU) | Finished electronics, machinery, and re‑exports |
| **Hong Kong** | Bulk carriers (35 000 DWT) | Coal and mineral concentrates |
| **Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia)** | Tankers (30 000 DWT) | LPG and MGO |
| **Australia (Perth, Brisbane)** | Ro‑Ro & container vessels | Palm oil, timber, and livestock feed |
| **Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg)** | Ultra‑large container vessels (UCLCV) | Nickel ore and refined metals (via trans‑shipment) |
The majority of **container traffic** (≈ 55 %) is oriented toward **East Asian manufacturing hubs** (China, South Korea, Japan), while **bulk exports** (≈ 38 %) are dominated by mineral commodities destined for **steel mills** in **Japan** and **South Korea**.
### Cargo Breakdown (2023)
- **Containers**: 460 000 TEU (≈ 20 % of total volume) – primarily textiles, electronics, and machinery parts.
- **Dry Bulk**: 11 million t – nickel ore (4 Mt), copper concentrate (2 Mt), coal (3 Mt).
- **Liquid Bulk**: 1.3 million t – LPG, crude oil, and refined petroleum products.
- **General Cargo**: 5 million t – timber, palm oil, and processed food items.
The port’s **trade patterns** are increasingly influenced by Indonesia’s participation in the **Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)** and the **ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)**, prompting a shift toward higher‑value manufactured goods and a reduction in tariff barriers for bulk raw material exports.
For up‑to‑date shipping schedules and vessel tracking, consult **MarineTraffic↗**, which provides real‑time AIS data for vessels calling at IDMAK.
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
IDMAK
Country
Indonesia
Province / Region
Sulawesi Selatan
Latitude
-5.120000
Longitude
119.400000
Timezone
Asia/Makassar
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Makassar?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Makassar is IDMAK.
Where is Port of Makassar located?
The Port of Makassar is located in Indonesia, Sulawesi Selatan. Its coordinates are -5.1200°N, 119.4000°E.
What time zone is Port of Makassar in?
Port of Makassar operates in the Asia/Makassar time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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