A practical, experience-based decision guide to choose Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) or Surabaya (Tanjung Perak) for exporting Indonesian vegetables in reefers in 2025. Includes typical transit times to Singapore, Hong Kong and UAE, sailing frequency bands, equipment and plug availability, PTI/pre-cool access, congestion patterns, LCL options, documentation windows, and last-mile reefer trucking constraints—ending with a clear Priok vs Perak checklist.
If you’re exporting fresh Indonesian vegetables in refrigerated containers, two origin ports dominate the conversation: Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok and Surabaya’s Tanjung Perak. We get asked almost daily which is “best.” The real answer depends on your commodity, shelf-life, destination, and your tolerance for Jakarta port congestion in 2025. Here’s a focused, decision-ready guide based on what actually matters when the cold chain is on the line.
How we built this 2025 guide
We work vegetables end-to-end, from farm gate to reefer plug. This guide consolidates what we’ve learned moving export-grade produce and IQF vegetables, plus recent schedules and terminal practices we track with carriers and depot partners. We’ve centered on the questions buyers and logistics teams ask most. We also scoped it tightly: only Tanjung Priok vs Tanjung Perak, ocean reefer moves (not air), and vegetable commodities.
Jakarta vs Surabaya at a glance: the practical differences
Think of this as your head-to-head matrix, without the fluff.
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Speed to Singapore and Hong Kong
- Priok: Strong daily feeders to Singapore. Hong Kong via transshipment is efficient when you catch the earlier cutoff.
- Perak: Nearly as fast to Singapore, sometimes faster gate operations. Hong Kong via Singapore/Port Klang works well, slightly longer routing at times.
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Middle East routes (e.g., Jebel Ali)
- Priok: More weekly options via Singapore or Tanjung Pelepas. Generally shorter median transit time.
- Perak: Competitive, but options can cluster on certain weekdays. Slightly wider variance in total transit.
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Reefer equipment and plug availability
- Priok: Higher probability of on-demand reefer boxes and yard plugs. More terminals with reefer stacks.
- Perak: Good availability and reliable PTI, but planning 24–48 hours ahead helps in peak weeks.
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PTI and pre-cool access
- Priok: Multiple depots offer same-day PTI and genset checks. Pre-cool capacity is solid but book early.
- Perak: Third-party depots near port with fast PTI turnarounds. Pre-cool options are streamlined and less congested.
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Congestion patterns
- Priok: Heavier gate queues during peak export weeks and pre-holiday surges. Plan night gate-in when possible.
- Perak: Generally smoother truck flow and yard handling. Peak weeks still bite, but fewer shock delays.
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LCL reefer options (Indonesia origin)
- Priok: More frequent LCL reefer consolidations, especially for frozen SKUs.
- Perak: Available but less frequent. Some lanes route via Jakarta/Singapore for consolidation.
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Documentation windows and cut-offs
- Priok: Earlier cut-offs on busy services. Quarantine windows fill quickly.
- Perak: Slightly more flexible gate-in on some feeders, but still plan for early week roll risks.
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Total port handling costs
- Priok: Typically a touch higher on handling and terminal add-ons, offset if your farms are in West Java.
- Perak: Often more cost-effective for East Java and Central Java origins once you factor shorter trucking.
Takeaway: If your priority is maximum weekly choice and shortest median transit to the Middle East, Priok usually wins. If your priority is smoother gate operations, strong access to PTI, and lower inland costs from East/Central Java, Perak is often the smarter pick.
Is Jakarta or Surabaya faster to Singapore, Hong Kong, or Dubai?
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Singapore
- Priok: Feeder sea time 1–2 days. Realistic port-to-port window 2–4 days depending on cut-off timing.
- Perak: Feeder sea time 2–3 days. Realistic window 3–5 days.
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Hong Kong
- Priok: Typically 7–12 days via Singapore or Tanjung Pelepas. Faster if you hit weekend mainline connections.
- Perak: Typically 8–13 days via the same hubs. Similar when feeders align; 1–2 days slower if you miss the best window.
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Jebel Ali (Dubai)
- Priok: Typical 16–22 days via Singapore/TPK/Colombo depending on service.
- Perak: Typical 18–24 days with slightly wider variance.
We plan leafy or highly respiration-sensitive items like Baby Romaine (Baby Romaine Lettuce) and Japanese Cucumber (Kyuri) to Singapore or Hong Kong from Priok when speed is the driver, but Perak still works well when farms are nearby and we can stuff early.
Which port has more reliable reefer equipment and plug availability in 2025?
Priok. The reefer plug density at main terminals and the sheer equipment pool size give Jakarta an edge. That said, Perak is solid if you reserve early. Our rule of thumb:
- Peak season or tight sailing windows. Prioritize Priok for higher chance of on-demand boxes.
- Non-peak or pre-booked PTI. Perak is equally reliable with fewer line-haul surprises.
How many weekly reefer sailings do Priok and Perak get?
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Singapore connections
- Priok: Daily feeder options across multiple carriers/partners.
- Perak: Several departures weekly. Not always daily but typically 4–6 per week across operators.
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Hong Kong connections
- Both ports rely on transshipment. Expect 2–4 good connection opportunities weekly that keep total transit tight.
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Middle East (e.g., UAE)
- Priok: More weekly combinations with strong hub links, which stabilizes transit times.
- Perak: Fewer weekly combinations. Still workable with careful cutoff planning.
What are typical cut-off times and documentation steps for vegetable reefers?
Expect variations by terminal and carrier, but here’s a working model we use for both ports:
- Booking and VGM
- Slot booking at least 5–7 days prior for fresh cargo. VGM usually due 24 hours pre-vessel.
- PTI and pre-cool
- PTI at depot 12–24 hours before stuffing. Pre-cool plans agreed with depot and transporter.
- Stuffing and gate-in
- Preferred: stuff at packhouse under genset, pre-trip checked box. Gate-in target 12–24 hours before cutoff.
- Customs and quarantine (phytosanitary)
- Register inspection booking 1–2 days before stuffing. Inspections often in business hours Mon–Fri, limited Sat. Coordinate for same-day certificate issuance when possible.
- Terminal reefer cut-off
- Fresh: earlier than dry. Plan to hit the earliest feasible window. Missing the first feeder can add 2–3 days.
We often see teams underestimate quarantine scheduling, especially at Priok in peak weeks. Book early and allocate buffer. If you need a lane-by-lane plan or document checklist tailored to your commodity, feel free to Contact us on whatsapp.
Can I ship LCL reefer vegetables from Surabaya, or should I consolidate in Jakarta?
LCL reefer from Surabaya is possible but less frequent. Jakarta offers more consolidation options and schedule stability, especially for frozen SKUs like Frozen Mixed Vegetables and Frozen Paprika (Bell Peppers) - Red, Yellow, Green & Mixed. For fresh vegetables, we recommend FCL whenever you can hit MOQ. If you must go LCL on fresh, Jakarta gives you better odds of same-week uplift.
How bad is peak-season congestion for reefer pickups/returns in Jakarta vs Surabaya?
Priok sees heavier swings. Pre-Ramadan, year-end, and major harvest peaks mean longer gate queues and earlier reefer cutoffs. Night trucking helps. Surabaya handles peaks better on average, but rollovers still happen if paperwork or VGM slip. A simple strategy that saves cargo: lock your stuffing day one earlier than “optimal” and hold temperature at the yard plug. The extra day in-port beats a 3-day rollover every time.
Which carriers are most consistent for Indonesia–Middle East reefer vegetables in 2025?
Look for carriers with strong hub operations in Singapore or Tanjung Pelepas and mature reefer programs. In our experience, global lines with robust reefer fleets and regional carriers with deep Indonesia–ASEAN networks both perform well. We evaluate on three factors: access to equipment in your origin city, transshipment reliability at the hub, and historical space protection during peak weeks. Ask your forwarder for recent on-time and rollover stats for your specific service string.
Product and shelf-life planning matters more than you think
The best port for Indonesian vegetable reefers isn’t just geography. It’s shelf-life math.
- Fast movers with respiration sensitivity and visual grading needs, like Baby Romaine (Baby Romaine Lettuce), Japanese Cucumber (Kyuri), Tomatoes, and Red Radish: Favor the fastest connection you can secure and prioritize fewer handoffs. Priok often wins, but Perak can be equal if your farms are near Surabaya and you stuff early.
- Frozen and IQF products, like Premium Frozen Edamame, Frozen Mixed Vegetables, and Frozen Paprika (Bell Peppers) - Red, Yellow, Green & Mixed: LCL reefer is viable, and Perak-origin can be as efficient as Jakarta when sailings align.
If you’re still scoping suppliers for export-ready lines, you can also View our products to see the pack styles that align with reefer best practices.
Last-mile reefer trucking constraints you should plan for
- Jakarta: Expect tighter windows and traffic restrictions in city zones. Night pickups reduce risk of missing port cut-offs. Verify genset availability during any staging.
- Surabaya: Smoother port approach roads. Still, book time slots early and avoid Friday afternoon gate-ins when possible.
Common mistakes we still see (and easy fixes)
- Cutting it too close on quarantine. Fix: lock inspection 1–2 days before stuffing and pre-verify certificate details.
- Assuming LCL reefer space is “always available.” Fix: pre-book LCL out of Jakarta or choose FCL from Perak if MOQ is close.
- Chasing the lowest ocean rate. Fix: total landed cost includes roll risks, transit variability, and shelf-life penalties.
Choose Priok if… Choose Perak if…
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Choose Tanjung Priok (Jakarta) if:
- You need the fastest median transit to Singapore, Hong Kong, or Jebel Ali.
- You require on-demand reefer equipment and higher plug availability.
- You ship mixed fresh SKUs weekly and value more sailing choices.
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Choose Tanjung Perak (Surabaya) if:
- Your farms and packhouses are in East or Central Java and you want lower inland costs.
- You prefer smoother gate operations and predictable PTI/pre-cool slots.
- You’re shipping more frozen/IQF volume or fresh SKUs with comfortable shelf-life.
Final thought: there isn’t a universal “best port for Indonesian vegetable reefers.” There’s a best port for your commodity, calendar week, and destination. Align those three, and your cold chain stays boring in the best possible way.