BNCT partners with Malaysian ports to boost regional logistics connectivity

PT Belawan New Container Terminal (BNCT) has signed a strategic partnership with Penang Port Sdn. Bhd. (PPSB) and Mutiara Perlis Sdn. Bhd. (MPSB) to strengthen regional logistics and trade connectivity through the Belawan–Penang–Perlis corridor.

The cooperation was formalized through a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) signed by BNCT President Director Mohamed Suffian Abdul Manaf, Penang Port Chief Executive Officer Dato' Sasedharan Vasudevan, and MPSB Group Chief Executive Officer Wan Ahmad Zaheed Wan Mohamad at Perlis Inland Port, Malaysia, on May 30.

The Consulate General of Indonesia in Penang welcomed the partnership, saying it could strengthen logistics and trade links between Sumatra, northern Malaysia, and markets across Southeast Asia and East Asia.

Indonesian Consul General in Penang Wanton Saragih said the collaboration could support economic growth within the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and create an alternative trade corridor connecting ASEAN countries with East Asian markets, including China.

"BNCT can serve as a key gateway in Sumatra to strengthen supply chain connectivity among ASEAN countries and with East Asian regions such as China in a more efficient manner," Wanton said in a statement.

He added that improved connectivity would facilitate exports of key Sumatran commodities, including palm oil and its derivatives, coffee, cocoa, tea, and other agricultural products, to Malaysia and neighboring markets.

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Under the agreement, BNCT will serve as the primary cargo gateway for Sumatra, Penang Port as a transshipment hub, and Perlis Inland Port as a land logistics gateway connecting destinations across Southeast Asia and East Asia.

The parties also agreed to improve supply chain efficiency, accelerate cross-border cargo movement, and integrate digital systems to support seamless cargo distribution throughout the network.

The Belawan–Penang sea route covers approximately 255 km, followed by a 133-km land connection to Perlis Inland Port, bringing the total corridor length to around 388 km. The route is expected to provide a more efficient alternative for cargo distribution to Malaysia and surrounding markets.

Mohamed Suffian described the collaboration as a strategic move to strengthen BNCT's role in regional and international logistics networks.

"This MoC opens a new logistics corridor connecting Sumatra with regional and global markets. BNCT is ready to support smoother international trade flows while enhancing the competitiveness of Indonesia's logistics sector," he said.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Free Trade Zone at Perlis Inland Port. The event was attended by Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, Malaysian Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook, and business representatives from Indonesia and Malaysia.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak