Kuehne+Nagel reports that operations at Indonesia's Semarang Port, the Tanjung Emas terminal, are currently experiencing disruption due to a surge in cargo movements at the end of December 2025.
The sharp rise in import flows, combined with road restrictions during the Christmas and New Year period, slowed clearance activities and created a backlog that has carried into the new year.
As factories and logistics operations return to standard routines, both inbound and outbound volumes have grown considerably.
This increase has pushed the yard occupancy rate higher, adding pressure on available space and contributing to operational bottlenecks across the port.
Vessel handling has also been affected. Many feeder services are running behind schedule, creating further delays in berthing activities.
The Terminal Booking System has reached full capacity, and customers can still experience setbacks caused by unexpected issues such as traffic congestion or flooding on routes leading to the port.
In response, terminal operator TPKS has introduced several measures to stabilise the situation.
Additional container yard space has been allocated to support the stacking of empty units, providing greater flexibility for repositioning movements. The organisation is also reviewing other tools to ease congestion, such as securing further wharf area and providing access to facilities equipped with four container cranes.
However, in the meantime, the port is not accepting containers to the terminal before opening hours and no early stacking requests are accommodated.
According to seaexplorer data, there are currently nine vessels waiting to berth in Semarang's anchorage area, with some waiting since 17 January 2026.
Shippers are advised to generate barcodes beforehand and request revisions once their fleet is inside the port/interchange. This can be done by contacting the 24-hour TPKS WhatsApp Hotline (081111991199) and attaching a GPS screenshot or location photo along with the completed barcode. Any issues can be reported back to the group.
For more information about your shipment, please contact your local Kuehne+Nagel representative.
