KAI Logistics Rely on Reefer Container Trains to Face Nataru Surge

JAKARTA - The surge in demand for the distribution of fresh food and perishable products during the Christmas and New Year holidays (Nataru) has encouraged PT Kereta Api Logistik (KAI Logistik) to maximize the Container Reefer Train (KA) service to maintain the smooth national supply chain at the end of 2025.

Director of Business Development of KAI Logistics, Aniek Dwi Deviyanti, said the Nataru period was a strategic moment for the logistics sector, especially in maintaining the smooth distribution of products that require special handling.

"Reefer Container Train services are an important element to ensure that supply chains remain intact amid the surge in demand and distribution challenges at the end of the year," Aniek said in an official statement, Thursday, December 25, 2025.

Throughout January to November 2025, KAI Logistics recorded a total volume of freight transportation of 295,614 tons. This achievement increased by about 20 percent compared to the same period last year of 246,186 tons, as customers' confidence in rail-based logistics services increased.

The most significant growth occurred in the fourth quarter of 2025. During this period, monthly transportation volume grew in the range of 30 to 40 percent compared to previous months.

In fact, in October and November 2025, the volume of transportation has exceeded 33,000 tons per month, driven by the increasing distribution needs towards the end of the year.

"The company projects that the trend of continued improvement will continue in December 2025 with a volume of around 34,000 tons. This projection refers to a consistent growth pattern since entering the fourth quarter of 2025 as well as similar trends in the previous year," said Aniek.

Aniek explained that the increase was largely supported by the distribution of perishable products, such as meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables, which require a controlled cooling system.

Through the Reefer Container KA service, product temperatures can be maintained stably during travel so that food quality and safety remain guaranteed until they arrive at their destination.

To support the refrigerated supply chain, KAI Logistics has also prepared Plug In Reefer Container depot facilities at a number of strategic points, including the Sarwajala Depot, Kalimas Surabaya Terminal, and Jakarta Lagoa River Terminal. This facility ensures that the supply of electricity to the container is maintained before the next delivery process.

Apart from the quality of distribution, the use of rail modes also provides efficiency in terms of operations and environmental sustainability. Rail-based transportation modes are considered to have lower emission rates than long-distance land transportation.

"Rail-based transportation has a lower emission rate than long-distance land transportation, so it is in line with KAI Logistics' commitment to implementing sustainable logistics principles," said Aniek.