PASIR GUDANG: Johor Port Bhd, a subsidiary of MMC Port Holdings Bha and a member of the MMC Group is exploring opportunities with PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) Regional 1 Belawan to develop stronger maritime connectivity between Belawan, North Sumatra and Johor.
The initiative aims to facilitate more efficient cargo movement, widen market access for businesses and strengthen trade linkages between Indonesia and Malaysia.
The potential connectivity was discussed during Johor Port’s visit to Belawan Port in early September 2026, held in conjunction with the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) 2026 Programme in Medan.
The engagement enabled Johor Port to gain a deeper understanding of Belawan’s Port facilities, existing cargo flows and access to the Northern Sumatra hinterland. It also provided both ports and participating businesses with a platform to exchange perspectives on market demand, logistics requirements and potential areas for commercial cooperation.
Johor Port CEO Md Derick Basir said the potential Belawan–Johor Trade Corridor reflects the importance of regional collaboration in creating new opportunities for businesses across both markets.
“This opportunity is more than about connecting the two ports. It is also about bringing businesses and markets closer together, creating more efficient pathways for trade and supporting stronger regional supply chains,” he added.
He said Malaysia and Indonesia share strong economic and people-to-people ties.
By working closely with Pelindo and industry stakeholders, they hope to identify practical opportunities that can strengthen connectivity between Northern Sumatra and Johor while delivering meaningful value to customers on both sides, he added.
From Johor Port’s perspective, the focus is not only to introduce another shipping route, but to also develop a commercially sustainable trade corridor that responds to the actual needs of shippers, cargo owners and logistics providers.
Belawan serves as an important gateway to the Northern Sumatra hinterland, while Johor Port provides access to Johor, the wider Malaysian market and established regional shipping networks. A stronger connection between the two ports would provide businesses with more direct cargo flows and additional options for moving goods across the region.
The proposed Belawan–Johor connectivity would support cargo movements across a range of sectors including manufacturing, consumer products, industrial cargo and other regional trade movements. It is aligned with Johor Port’s strategy to strengthen intra-Asia connectivity and extend its commercial reach beyond its immediate geographical hinterland.
Johor Port has been progressively developing links with Indonesian outports and other regional markets as part of its efforts to provide customers with broader routing options. Through this approach, Johor Port seeks to serve not only as a port of call but also as a commercial partner in developing reliable and efficient regional supply chains.
The discussions in Belawan also covered cargo potential, port services, logistics requirements and possible areas of commercial cooperation with additional future services contingent upon sufficient cargo demand, reliable operations and a commercially sustainable services structure.
Johor Port and Pelindo Regional 1 Belawan will continue to engage with the respective shipping lines, logistics providers, cargo owners and the wider business community to identify suitable cargo flows and potential shipping partners.
As a multi-purpose port in Southern Johor, Johor Port handles container, dry bulk, break bulk and liquid cargoes. Its container terminal recorded its highest-ever annual throughput of 1.08 million TEUs in 2025, demonstrating the port’s growing role in supporting Malaysia and regional trade.
Backed by its strategic location, the potential Belawan–Johor connection therefore forms part of a broader strategy to expand Johor Port’s commercial hinterland, strengthen regional connectivity and create additional routing options for Southeast Asian shippers.