The prolonged escalation of geopolitical conflict in the Strait of Hormuz region is now having a tangible impact on the national logistics sector. Rising global oil prices driven by heating relations between the United States and Iran have triggered a significant surge in operational costs, ranging from fuel expenses and loading/unloading fees to the prices of vehicle spare parts.
Secretary General of the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI), Trismawan Sanjaya, revealed that business players are currently in a difficult position. Although freight rates have been raised by around 15% in the past three months, this figure has not been able to cover the surge in operational costs, which in many companies has exceeded 20%. Without appropriate policy intervention from the government, business operators are expected to struggle to maintain their cash flow sustainability amid this global uncertainty.
Echoing this sentiment, Raja Oloan Saut Gurning, a member of the Expert Board of the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), highlighted the vulnerability of maritime transport, which relies heavily on fuel. With fuel costs accounting for up to 60% of total shipping operations, any global price fluctuation creates immediate pressure. Operators are now forced to implement internal efficiencies, such as adopting 'slow steaming' practices or economical speeds and switching to more flexible contracts to mitigate the risk of losses.
On the other hand, this cost pressure has impacted national inflation figures. Data from Statistics Indonesia notes that the transportation sector was the main contributor to inflation in June 2026. Although economists predict that inflationary pressure may ease following the end of the holiday season, the biggest challenge for logistics entrepreneurs remains extreme price volatility, making long-term business planning extremely difficult to execute.
