Samarinda (Palaran)

Samarinda, the capital of East Kalimantan, lies on the Mahakam River, and its port activity depends on that river channel. Ships bound for Samarinda enter from the Makassar Strait through the Mahakam delta, so vessel size and berthing schedules depend on channel depth and tides.

Samarinda's container services are concentrated at TPK Palaran in the Palaran district on the southern side of the city. The terminal is not operated by Pelindo but by PT Pelabuhan Samudera Palaran, a Samudera Indonesia group company. Other public port activities in Samarinda fall within the area of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) Regional 4.

Samarinda's UN/LOCODE is IDSRI. Most containers here serve domestic routes from Surabaya and Jakarta, bringing consumer goods and building materials for Samarinda and the inland areas reached via the Mahakam. Coal barge traffic on the river is also heavy, so vessel movements can be congested. If the final destination is upriver, plan the onward leg by river vessel or truck, and count the time and handling cost at every transfer point.