UN/LOCODE: IDPKU📍 Indonesia
Port of Pekanbaru, Sumatra (UN/LOCODE IDPKU)
❖ Coordinates: 0.5071°N, 101.4478°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Jakarta
❖ UN/LOCODE: IDPKU
## About the Port
**Pekanbaru** (UN/LOCODE: **IDPKU**) is an inland river port located in the city of Pekanbaru, Riau Province, on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Situated at coordinates **0.5070677 °N, 101.4477793 °E** (Asia/Jakarta timezone), the port lies on the **Siak River**, roughly 30 km upstream from the city center and about **200 km** from the Malacca Strait. The facility is operated by **PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III (Pelindo III)**, one of Indonesia’s leading state‑owned port operators, and serves as the primary maritime gateway for the provinces of Riau and surrounding central‑Sumatra regions.
Pekanbaru’s strategic position makes it a crucial link between Indonesia’s deep‑sea terminals (e.g., Tanjung Priok, Belawan) and the resource‑rich interior of Sumatra. The port’s draft limitation of **~4.5 m** restricts ocean‑going vessels to medium‑size cargo ships, but this depth is sufficient for **container vessels up to 2 000 TEU**, **general cargo**, and **tanker** operations.
### Geography and Access
- **Location**: Siak River, Pekanbaru city, Riau.
- **Coordinates**: 0.5070677 °N, 101.4477793 °E.
- **Time Zone**: Asia/Jakarta (UTC+7).
- **Connectivity**: Road links to the Trans‑Sumatra Highway and a developing inland waterway network that connects to other river ports such as Dumai and Bengkalis.
### Facilities Overview
- **Berths**: Four main berths – two dedicated to container handling, one for general cargo, and one for petroleum products.
- **Container Terminal**: Equipped with **two 20‑TEU gantry cranes** and **reach stackers**; annual container handling capacity of **≈250 k TEU**.
- **Tank Storage**: On‑site tank farms capable of storing **≈50 000 m³** of petroleum products, serving the local fuel distribution network.
- **Dry Dock & Workshop**: A modest shipbuilding/maintenance facility supporting inland vessel repairs.
- **Supporting Services**: Full customs clearance, shipping agency, pilotage, and warehousing facilities managed under a single‑window system.
The port’s modern infrastructure is designed to handle the growing demand for trade in the Riau region while maintaining compliance with international maritime safety and environmental standards.
## History
The Siak River has been a focal point for commerce since the early 19th century, but Pekanbaru’s formal development as a port began under Dutch colonial rule. In **1908**, the Netherlands India Steamship Company established a modest landing stage to facilitate the export of timber and spices from the interior. Post‑World War II, the Indonesian government expanded the facility to support the nation’s emerging oil and gas sector, with the first tanker berth inaugurated in **1975**.
A major milestone arrived in the **1990s** when Pelindo III took over operations, introducing container handling equipment and modernizing cargo handling processes. The **early 2000s** saw the construction of additional tank storage to meet rising domestic fuel demand, following the deregulation of Indonesia’s gasoline market.
In **2018**, the port underwent a significant upgrade funded by the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, adding a second container gantry crane and extending the general cargo berth by 300 m. The latest expansion, completed in **2022**, increased the tanker berth depth to accommodate vessels up to **7 000 GT**, positioning Pekanbaru as a key transshipment hub for petroleum products within the Sumatra region.
These evolutionary steps have transformed Pekanbaru from a modest river landing into a fully‑fledged multimodal port that underpins the economic growth of Riau and the broader Sumatran economy.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Physical Infrastructure
- **Berth Layout**: Four berths with a combined length of **≈1 200 m**.
- **Container Berth 1 & 2**: 350 m each, concrete surfacing, depth **7.5 m** at low tide.
- **General Cargo Berth**: 300 m, depth **5.5 m**.
- **Tanker Berth**: 150 m, depth **7.0 m**, equipped with loading arms and environmental control systems.
- **Cargo Handling Equipment**:
- **Gantry Cranes**: Two Liebherr 20‑TEU cranes.
- **Reach Stackers**: Four units for intermodal transfers.
- **Truck Scale & Pre‑weigh Systems**: Integrated for customs compliance.
- **Storage & Warehousing**: **≈150 000 m²** of covered storage for containers, bulk cement, and hazardous goods.
### Support Services & Connectivity
- **Customs & Immigration**: On‑site Indonesian Customs and Port Authority offices providing rapid clearance.
- **Pilotage & Towage**: Local pilots available via the Siak River Pilotage Office; tugboat services supplied by state‑run towage companies.
- **Rail & Road Links**: While a direct rail connection is still under feasibility studies, the **Trans‑Sumatra Highway** provides seamless road access to the port’s hinterland.
The infrastructure is regularly maintained under a **five‑year capital improvement plan** that focuses on increasing berth capacity, upgrading loading equipment, and enhancing environmental compliance (e.g., bunkering facilities for marine fuel).
## Economic Importance
Pekanbaru Port directly contributes to **Riau Province’s GDP** by facilitating the export of key commodities and the import of essential goods. The province’s **oil & gas fields**, **coal mines**, **palm oil plantations**, and **cement factories** rely heavily on the port for moving raw materials to domestic markets and for shipping finished products to regional hubs such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor Bahru.
- **Commodity Export**: Over **12 Mt** of coal, **3 Mt** of palm oil products, and **≈2 Mt** of cement are handled annually.
- **Fuel Distribution**: The port’s tank farms supply **≈30 %** of Riau’s gasoline and diesel requirements, reinforcing energy security in the region.
- **Employment**: The facility and its ancillary services employ **≈1 200** direct staff, with an estimated **4 000** indirect jobs generated in logistics, warehousing, and related sectors.
Moreover, Pekanbaru serves as a **logistics node** for Indonesia’s **Logistics Development Program**, intended to reduce the country’s overall transportation cost by improving inland connectivity. The port’s multimodal potential—particularly when linked to planned rail corridors—has attracted investors in **agro‑processing** and **manufacturing**, further diversifying the regional economy.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Routes
- **Southeast Asia Corridor**: Direct feeder services to **Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang**. Container lines operate weekly sailings, providing seamless connectivity between Sumatra’s hinterland and the Strait of Malacca.
- **Domestic Feeder Network**: Frequent cargo vessels connect Pekanbaru with other Indonesian ports such as **Belawan (Medan)**, **Tanjung Priok (Jakarta)**, and **Banjarmasin**, enabling inter‑island cargo transfers.
### Major Cargo Types
#### Container Traffic
- **Imports**: Consumer electronics, automotive parts, machinery, and agricultural inputs.
- **Exports**: Processed palm oil, furniture, textiles, and mineral concentrates.
#### Bulk Cargo
- **Coal**: Mined in the Muaro Siau and Rimba Melati fields, primarily destined for **Singapore’s power plants** and **South Korean steel mills**.
- **Cement & Gypsum**: Produced locally by **Indocement** and **Semen Padang**, shipped to neighboring islands for construction projects.
#### Liquid Cargo
- **Petroleum Products**: Refined gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil imported via **Singapore** and re‑exported to remote Indonesian regions.
- **Oleochemicals**: Palm oil derivatives, processed by regional factories and shipped to **European** and **North American** markets.
### Trade Trends
Recent data from the **Indonesian Ministry of Transportation** show a **15 % annual growth** in container throughput (2021‑2023) driven by rising e‑commerce and industrial expansion in Riau. Bulk cargo handling has also accelerated, with coal exports reaching **12 Mt** in 2023, marking a **7 % increase** from the previous year.
The UN/LOCODE **IDPKU** ensures seamless identification in global shipping systems, allowing carriers to integrate Pekanbaru into their automated vessel scheduling and documentation workflows.
### Authoritative External Links
- Detailed port statistics and operational guidelines are available on the official **Pelindo III Pekanbaru Port** website: https://www.pelabuhanpekanbaru.co.id↗
- Official Indonesian port directory and UN/LOCODE references can be found at the **Ministry of Transportation’s Directorate General of Sea Transportation**: https://www.dephub.go.id↗
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*By understanding the multifaceted role of Pekanbaru Port—its geographic positioning, historical evolution, modern facilities, economic contributions, and trade dynamics—maritime professionals can better leverage this strategic gateway to optimize logistics chains across Sumatra and Southeast Asia.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
IDPKU
Country
Indonesia
Province / Region
Riau
Latitude
0.507068
Longitude
101.447779
Timezone
Asia/Jakarta
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Pekanbaru, Sumatra?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Pekanbaru, Sumatra is IDPKU.
Where is Port of Pekanbaru, Sumatra located?
The Port of Pekanbaru, Sumatra is located in Indonesia, Riau. Its coordinates are 0.5071°N, 101.4478°E.
What time zone is Port of Pekanbaru, Sumatra in?
Port of Pekanbaru, Sumatra operates in the Asia/Jakarta 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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