The plan to designate Makassar Port as a direct export hub has been warmly welcomed by exporters and logistics businesses in Eastern Indonesia. According to Arief R. Pabettingi, Chair of the South and West Sulawesi chapter of the Indonesian Exporters Association (GPEI), the initiative could significantly boost trade potential in the region. Key commodities such as nickel, seaweed, cocoa, shrimp, and spices like pepper, cloves, and nutmeg are expected to see increased demand. However, Arief stressed the importance of expanding destination countries beyond China—the current sole destination served by shipping lines SITC and Wan Hai Lines—given the port’s large handling capacity of up to 2.5 million TEUs at Makassar New Port (MNP).
While the initiative promises long-term growth, current export figures from South Sulawesi fell by 20.73% to USD 507.28 million from January to April 2025. This decline is attributed to global trade uncertainty, particularly due to the impact of U.S. tariff hikes under President Donald Trump, which has disrupted supply chains involving China—a key buyer of South Sulawesi's raw materials. Arief also highlighted additional obstacles such as export quotas and non-tariff barriers in some markets. Despite these challenges, stakeholders remain optimistic. With more partnerships between the government, Pelindo, and international shipping companies, Makassar Port has the potential to strengthen Indonesia’s trade flow and international competitiveness, especially from the eastern region.
