JURNAL
Published May 28, 2026
R. Beniadi Setiawan
Yossianis Marciano
This paper investigates the critical role of optimizing maritime Roll-on/Roll-off
and Passanger (Ro-pax) vessel services in accelerating logistics cost reduction within
Indonesia. As an archipelagic nation, Indonesia faces significant geographical
challenges, leading to high logistics expenses and connectivity inefficiencies. The
research examines Indonesia’s current logistics landscape, detailing the economic
consequences of these elevated costs and the historical evolution of connectivity
policies aimed at fostering multimodal integration. A central focus is placed on Ro-pax
services as a strategic solution, defining their dual passenger and cargo transport
capabilities and presenting case studies of their implementation and impact within
Indonesia. The study further explores key efficiency drivers for Ro-pax operations,
including necessary infrastructure investments, technological upgrades, and solutions
to common operational challenges. A strategic framework for national logistics
transformation through seamless multimodal connectivity is proposed, emphasizing the
direct contribution of optimized Ro-pax services to achieving government logistics cost
reduction targets. Lessons learned from international best practices in maritime
logistics optimization from China and Singapore are analyzed for their applicability to
the Indonesian context. Finally, the thesis discusses future prospects for Ro-pax
optimization, including emerging trends like green logistics and digitalization, while
acknowledging study limitations and suggesting avenues for further research. The
overarching objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how Ro-pax
optimization, coupled with robust connectivity policies and multimodal integration, can
significantly lower logistics costs and enhance Indonesia’s national competitiveness.
Keywords:
Ro-pax, Logistics Costs, Indonesia, Maritime Transport, Connectivity Policy,
Multimodal Integration, Archipelagic Nation
