PT Titan Infra Sejahtera, South Sumatra Coal Logistics Company Turns Challenges into Opportunities

South Sumatra, a region with one of Indonesia's largest coal reserves, has long been a backbone of the national energy industry. However, this potential has often been hampered by inadequate transportation infrastructure, leading to inefficiencies in coal distribution and export. Amidst these challenges, PT Titan Infra Sejahtera has emerged as a pioneer in providing integrated logistics and infrastructure solutions, bridging the gap between mines and the global market. With a dedicated road network, a modern port, and sophisticated logistics systems, the company is not only strengthening the coal supply chain but also contributing to sustainable economic development in the region.

Strategic Role in Overcoming Infrastructure Gaps

As a major coal-producing province, South Sumatra contributes approximately 16% of Indonesia's total coal production. However, for years, reliance on public roads to transport coal from mines to ports has created multidimensional problems: severe traffic congestion on the Trans-Sumatra Highway, road damage due to heavy truck loads, and air pollution threatening public health. PT Titan Infra Sejahtera addressed these issues by building dedicated infrastructure designed to optimize coal distribution while reducing social and environmental impacts.

Established in 2017 and headquartered in Tangerang, the company operates a 118-kilometer coal haul road spanning three regencies: Lahat, Muara Enim, and PALI. This road serves as a vital alternative for coal trucks, diverting thousands of heavy vehicles from public roads each month. "This dedicated infrastructure is not just about efficiency, but also our commitment to reducing the burden on the community," explained the President Director of PT Titan Infra Sejahtera in a virtual interview last week.

Integrated Operations: From Mine to Port

PT Titan Infra Sejahtera's strength lies in its integrated business model, which encompasses three main pillars:

Dedicated Coal Haul Road (118 KM): Managed by its subsidiary, PT Servo Lintas Raya, this road is designed with a structure capable of withstanding the load of 40-ton trucks. Equipped with a GPS monitoring system and a 24-hour command center, this road ensures smooth coal distribution even during the rainy season. Furthermore, the existence of this road has reduced coal transportation travel time from mines to ports by up to 35%, from the previous 12 hours to 8 hours per trip.

Swarnadwipa Port (62 Hectares): Under PT Swarnadwipa Dermaga Jaya, this port can handle vessels with a capacity of up to 180,000 DWT. The facility is equipped with automated conveyors that speed up the loading and unloading process, reducing ship waiting time from 7 days to just 3 days. In 2023, this port recorded exports of 12 million tons of coal to Asian markets, including China, India, and Vietnam.

Intermediate Stockpile: Supply Chain Buffer:

Stockpile 107 (65 Hectares): With a storage capacity of 800,000 tons and a crusher capacity of 23,000 tons/day, this facility serves as a processing center for low-calorie coal before being shipped to local power plants.

• Stockpile 36 (80 Hectares): Equipped with a larger capacity crusher (30,000 tons/day), this stockpile focuses on high-calorie coal for export needs.
• Both stockpiles act as buffers to maintain supply continuity, especially during weather disruptions or surges in market demand.

Exponential Growth and Economic Contribution

PT Titan Infra Sejahtera's performance data shows a significant positive trend:

• 2022: 14 million tons of coal transported, contributing 8% of South Sumatra's total production.
• 2023: Volume increased by 34% to 18.8 million tons, equivalent to 12% of regional production.
• 2024 (Projection): Targeted at 21.5 million tons, driven by high-calorie coal demand from South Asia.

This growth is inseparable from the Rp 1.2 trillion investment in 2021-2023 to expand the conveyor network, purchase 50 additional trucks, and increase crusher capacity. According to the Head of the South Sumatra ESDM Office, Andi Bastoni, "The presence of PT Titan Infra Sejahtera has increased the competitiveness of local coal in the global market, while also creating jobs for 2,500 direct employees."

Collaboration with Local Mines

Not only managing coal from affiliated mines, PT Titan Infra Sejahtera also establishes long-term partnerships with 15 third-party mines in Muara Enim and Lahat. Through a service level agreement (SLA) scheme, the company offers a complete service package ranging from transportation and storage to shipping. "We provide end-to-end solutions for small mines that do not yet have access to ports," said the company's Business Development Manager.

One of the partners, PT Bara Energi Lestari, admitted that its logistics cost efficiency has increased by 20% since collaborating with Titan. "Previously, 30% of our production costs were spent on logistics. Now, that figure has dropped to 10%," said the Director of PT Bara Energi Lestari.

Social and Environmental Impact

In addition to its economic contributions, PT Titan Infra Sejahtera is active in CSR programs, such as:

• Construction of 6 emergency bridges in remote areas.
• Entrepreneurship training for 750 housewives around the operational area.
• Planting 50,000 mangrove trees on the east coast of South Sumatra.

On the environmental front, the use of dedicated roads has reduced CO2 emissions by 15,000 tons per year thanks to route efficiency. The company also plans to install solar panels at Swarnadwipa Port in 2025 to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Challenges and Future Vision

Despite its success, challenges such as fluctuations in global coal prices and government regulations remain a concern. Addressing this, PT Titan Infra Sejahtera plans to diversify into other commodities such as CPO and iron ore starting in 2026. "We want to become an integrated logistics provider for various natural resources, not just coal," emphasized the President Director.

With innovation and sustainable commitment, PT Titan Infra Sejahtera is not only strengthening its position as a key player in South Sumatra but also becoming a model for sustainable mining infrastructure development in Indonesia.

Conclusion

The success of PT Titan Infra Sejahtera proves that collaboration between the private sector and the government can transform infrastructure challenges into economic opportunities. Through long-term investment and integrated operations, the company is not only driving the growth of the coal industry but also leaving an infrastructure legacy that will benefit future generations. Amidst the global energy transition, the role of companies like Titan will be increasingly crucial in bridging the fossil-based past and a sustainable future.