09 Apr
Post-Holiday Season Export-Import Guide
JAKARTA – Entering the second quarter of 2026, B2B business players in Southeast Asia are now facing crucial challenges in international logistics management. Post the long holiday periods of Chinese New Year and Eid al-Fitr 1447 H, trade dynamics are no longer solely focused on recovering shipping volumes, but rather on the ability to adapt and the agility of distribution models to avoid chronic cargo accumulation in major ports.
A shift in the logistics power map is beginning to emerge with the rise of more resilient intra-regional corridors. Recent data shows that Indonesia's logistics sector recorded an average annual growth (CAGR) of 6.21% in 2026. In this new landscape, Hong Kong strengthens its position as a trusted node for re-export of high-value products, driven by a 7.88% surge in electronic component shipments via air freight.
Manufacturing synergy between Indonesia and Vietnam is also predicted to reach a new record, with export values projected to exceed USD 10.62 billion. Supply chain integration is the main driving force, where raw materials from Indonesia are massively sent to industrial areas such as Hai Phong in Vietnam for further processing. This collaboration reinforces the position of both countries as key manufacturing pillars in the competitive ASEAN region for Western markets.
However, the success of this trade is overshadowed by the threat of cargo rollover—a condition where shipments fail to depart on schedule due to port congestion. To mitigate this risk, logistics experts suggest using premium booking status or utilizing Sea-Air multimodal transport via Singapore. This diversification strategy is considered effective in ensuring schedule certainty amidst operational uncertainties at major ports post-holiday season.
In addition to technical issues at ports, the scarcity of empty containers and rising domestic truck tariffs (drayage) remain serious obstacles for exporters. The use of digital container exchange platforms managed by third-party logistics (3PL) providers is a technological solution that is starting to be widely adopted to monitor unit availability in real-time. On the other hand, locking in long-term contracts with truck fleet providers at the beginning of the quarter is a preventive measure to avoid price spikes that usually occur when reverse flow demand peaks.
Fluctuating logistics costs are expected to persist for up to four weeks after the holiday period ends due to shipment backlog. As a cost-efficiency strategy, businesses are now shifting from Full Container Load (FCL) shipments to cargo consolidation methods or Less than Container Load (LCL). This method allows goods to flow continuously without having to wait for the availability of full container slots, which are currently soaring in price in the spot market.
Source:
https://oceanweek.co.id/pasca-lebaran-priok-mulai-lakukan-antisipasi-agar-arus-barang-lancar/
