APL Logistics: Inside Indonesia's New Sustainable Hub

APL Logistics' expansion in Indonesia focuses on both efficiency and sustainability.

Set within the KBN Marunda Industrial Zone in North Jakarta, the new Marunda Flow Centre reflects the country’s growing place in international trade and marks a milestone in the company’s presence in the region since 1999.

Since 2020, APL Logistics has grown a strong base in Indonesia.

Its continued growth underlines both the strength of the local market and the enduring resilience of its workforce.

Why APL chose Jakarta

Covering 32,000 square metres, the Marunda Flow Centre is positioned as a regional logistics hub with direct links to key transport infrastructure.

Less than 10 kilometres from the busy Tanjung Priok Port, the site also has access to rail via Kampung Bandan Station (19.3 km) and to air freight through Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (36 km).

These connections allow companies to manage multi-modal shipments more efficiently, supporting both domestic and international trade.

APL Logistics is exploring the addition of a barge service to move containers directly from Marunda to Tanjung Priok Port.

"This would enable the transportation of containers via water instead of by road, thereby reducing road traffic and transit time," explains Dileepa Dissanayake, Director of Country Operations for Indonesia at APL.

"This initiative aligns with the sustainability principles at the core of this development.”

APL Logistics is looking beyond just physical infrastructure.

The facility forms part of a wider plan to expand exports out of Indonesia through investment in people, technology and key logistics nodes.

Supriyatno, Director of PT KBN Prima Logistik, highlights the wider industry impact: “As a service provider at APL Logistics Marunda Flow Center, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the growth and development of APL Logistics’ business in Indonesia.

"We believe this collaboration will make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of the logistics sector in the country.”

Sustainable logistics and green design

From the outset, the Marunda Flow Center has focused on sustainable operations.

It has achieved LEED Silver certification, a global benchmark for environmentally-responsible construction.

To qualify, buildings must meet strict standards across energy use, water conservation, indoor air quality and building materials.

The structure uses locally-sourced materials, helping reduce the carbon footprint of its construction.

It also includes solar panels that generate about 10% of the facility’s energy needs, translucent roofing to reduce dependence on artificial lighting and an automated heating and cooling system designed to lower energy consumption while maintaining interior climate levels.

APL Logistics has also prioritised local hiring, creating more than 100 jobs during the development and feeding into a wider strategy.

"We firmly believe that major growth in this opportune market is imminent,” says Dileepa.

"Further to the Marunda Flow Centre, we are also working on larger plans to support this growth even further across Java Island, beginning in West Java and with further expansion to Central and East Java to follow.”

Advanced automation

The Marunda Flow Centre has been designed with automation and throughput in mind.

Its systems are intended to help customers move high volumes of goods more quickly and with greater accuracy.

Inside, gantry-mounted scanning systems handle inbound and outbound cargo, tracking weight and size in real time.

The system also includes PO scanners to identify and divert cartons with mismatched details, preventing errors before they enter wider distribution flows.

The facility includes 6,800 racking positions with a theoretical capacity of 20,000 cubic metres.

It also houses 42 loading docks, a yard that can accommodate up to 300 forty-foot equivalent containers and parking space for more than 100 trucks, giving it flexibility during seasonal and demand-driven peaks.

Azfar Khan, APL Logistics’ Regional Vice President for Southeast Asia, says the facility reflects both business ambition and environmental principles: “We believe in Indonesia. We believe in the growth coming to the area, and that’s why we wanted to create a state-of-the-art, world-class investment here, which also makes a statement about our commitment to sustainability. That’s where this facility comes in.”

Agus Hendardi, President Director of PT Kawasan Berikat Nusantara (KBN), concludes: “APL Logistics’ aspirations are closely aligned with the vision of Kawasan Berikat Nusantara, as we endeavour to build an integrated ecosystem that connects industrial zones, ports and sustainable, world-class logistics services.”

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