Indonesian Seafood Cold Chain Costs: 2026 Complete Guide

A practical, 2026-ready playbook to calculate and reduce Indonesia shrimp cold chain cost for a 20ft reefer at -18°C. Includes a per‑kg cost formula, realistic load factors, Priok plug‑in fees, Java cold storage rates, trucking from Cirebon/Central Java, and break‑even fill rates.

If you export frozen shrimp from Java, your per‑kg cost lives or dies on how you manage the cold chain between your plant and the vessel. We’ve cut per‑kg logistics from $1.02 to $0.63 on 20ft reefers in under a quarter using the same system below. Here’s the 2026 playbook we use with partners and our own shipments.

The 3 pillars of cold-chain cost control

Load factor and pack plan. Every empty cubic centimeter costs you. In our experience, going from 19.5 MT palletized to 24.5 MT floor‑loaded often saves 6–12 cents per kg before ocean freight.
Dwell time at port and in cold store. Priok plug‑in fees and cold storage days add up fast. Two extra days waiting for docs can wipe out a month of negotiation.
Lane and equipment choices. 20ft vs 40ft reefer, genset vs terminal power, and destination lane all swing per‑kg by 10–30%.

The per‑kg cost formula you’ll actually use

Per‑kg export logistics cost (FOB port) = [(A + B + C + D + E + F) ÷ Loaded_KG] + Variable_per_KG Where: A Trucking + genset surcharge (factory to port) B Cold storage inbound/outbound handling C Cold storage days D Port handling and documentation (THC, VGM, lift on/off, admin) E Reefer plug‑in and monitoring at terminal F Demurrage/Detention risk provision for export side Variable_per_KG Pallet/carton materials variance, ice/pre‑cooling energy, QC sampling wastage Loaded_KG Net shrimp weight in container

We keep ocean freight separate. Add it as G ÷ Loaded_KG for CFR.

Example worksheet (20ft shrimp reefer, -18°C, Java to Asia, Q1 2026 assumptions)

Assumptions based on recent quotes we see in Jakarta/Central Java. Your numbers will vary by carrier and terminal.

Load plan: floor‑loaded, 10 kg master cartons of 1 kg retail packs. Loaded_KG = 24,500 kg.
A Trucking (Cirebon to Tanjung Priok): IDR 6.8–8.0m per 20ft reefer. Diesel genset surcharge: IDR 0.7–1.0m. We’ll use IDR 8.5m total.
B Handling at cold store: inbound + outbound IDR 50k–80k per pallet. For floor‑load, budget per container: IDR 1.2–1.8m. We use IDR 1.5m.
C Cold storage: IDR 35k–65k per pallet‑equivalent per day at -18°C. For floor‑loads, most 3PLs charge a container‑equivalent. Two days typical: IDR 1.0m.
D Port handling and docs (export THC, lift, VGM, doc/admin): IDR 3.5–5.5m. We use IDR 4.5m.
E Priok reefer plug‑in + monitoring: IDR 400k–750k per day. 2 days in terminal: IDR 1.0–1.5m. We use IDR 1.2m.
F D&D provision: Export demurrage/detention beyond free time can hit USD 100–200 per day. We carry a provision of IDR 1.0m unless you’ve locked guaranteed gate-in windows.
Variable_per_KG: packaging variance, ice/pre‑cooling energy, QC. We use IDR 150/kg for a conservative capture of process energy and minor wastage.

FOB logistics per‑kg (excluding ocean freight): Sum fixed (A–F) = 8.5 + 1.5 + 1.0 + 4.5 + 1.2 + 1.0 = IDR 17.7m Fixed per‑kg = 17,700,000 ÷ 24,500 = IDR 723/kg Add Variable_per_KG = 150/kg FOB per‑kg logistics = IDR 873/kg

Ocean freight add-on (Asia short haul 20ft reefer, 2026): USD 1,700–2,300. Use USD 2,000. At IDR 16,000/USD, that’s IDR 32,000,000 ÷ 24,500 = IDR 1,306/kg.

Total CFR per‑kg logistics = 873 + 1,306 = IDR 2,179/kg. Translate to USD per kg: 2,179 ÷ 16,000 ≈ USD 0.136/kg logistics on top of product cost.

Takeaway: the biggest lever is Loaded_KG. The second is days on plug‑in and in cold store.

What’s a realistic 20ft load factor for 1 kg shrimp cartons?

Floor‑loaded 10 kg masters: 24.0–25.0 MT net is common without choking airflow. We target 24.2–24.8 MT for shrimp at -18°C.
Palletized: 17.5–19.5 MT depending on pallet type and stack pattern. Safer handling but a 20–28% per‑kg penalty.

We often design pack specs on our Frozen Shrimp (Black Tiger, Vannamei & Wild Caught) to hit 24.5 MT floor‑load while keeping a clean T‑bar air channel. It’s unsexy. It saves real money. Interior of a reefer container showing floor‑loaded cartons stacked neatly along both sides with a straight central airflow tunnel from doors to front, above raised aluminum floor channels, faint frost and cool mist emphasizing a cold, orderly load plan.

How much to budget for reefer plug‑in at Tanjung Priok in 2026?

Recent invoices show IDR 400k–750k per day per reefer including monitoring. Some terminals bundle the first 24 hours into export THC. Don’t assume it. Ask your forwarder which terminal your booking will use and confirm “day zero” rules. Two days at plug‑in is normal when you gate in day‑1 and miss same‑day stack.

Practical tip: arrive with a pre‑cooled box at -18°C. Containers that need terminal pull‑down can trigger extra kWh charges and monitoring notes we’d rather avoid.

Cold storage rates in Java right now

Handling: IDR 50k–80k per pallet each way. Floor‑loaded fees often quoted per 20ft equivalent, IDR 1.2–1.8m total.
Storage: IDR 35k–65k per pallet per day (-18°C). For floor‑loads, expect a container‑equivalent day rate. Many exporters budget two days; four is common when docs slip.

Here’s the thing. You’ll pay more in storage by being early than you’ll save by being “safe.” Book carrier cutoffs that fit your production reality and plan backward.

Reefer trucking price Cirebon/Central Java to Priok (2026)

Cirebon–Priok 20ft reefer: IDR 5.5–8.0m including tolls. Add IDR 0.5–1.2m for diesel genset if your box needs power on the road.
Central Java corridor (Tegal–Semarang–Demak) to Priok: IDR 8.5–12.5m. West Java sites closer to Jakarta run IDR 4.5–6.0m.

Fuel and toll adjustments move monthly. We ask for an index clause or quarterly review so a sudden hike doesn’t land on your margin mid‑contract.

Demurrage and detention at Jakarta port

Export free time is usually 5 calendar days but varies by line and terminal. Once you burn it, expect USD 100–200 per day for reefer demurrage/detention and rising tiers after day 5 or 7. Our advice: maintain a live D&D dashboard per booking. A single long weekend can erase your ocean freight discount.

20ft vs 40ft reefer: which is cheaper per kg for shrimp?

20ft payload sweet spot: 24–25 MT floor‑loaded. Ocean freight to Asia: USD 1.7–2.3k. To EU/US, USD 3.8–6.2k typical ranges we’ve seen.
40ft payload: weight limits mean many shrimp shippers load 26–28 MT, not double. Ocean freight is usually 1.3–1.6x a 20ft, not 2x.

If you can truly load 27 MT in a 40ft and your 40ft rate is 1.4x the 20ft, then per‑kg drops 15–25%. If you only reach 24–25 MT in a 40ft because of pallets or spec, the per‑kg advantage mostly disappears. Test with your exact pack.

What’s the break‑even fill rate for a 20ft shrimp reefer?

Use this quick check: Break‑even fill rate = Target_per‑kg_fixed_cost × Max_KG ÷ Fixed_Costs If your fixed A–F is IDR 17.7m and you need fixed ≤ IDR 700/kg, and Max_KG is 25,000, then break‑even fill rate = 700 × 25,000 ÷ 17,700,000 ≈ 98.9%. Translation: at 24,725 kg you’re fine. At 22 MT you’re not.

In practice, anything under 23.5 MT floor‑loaded starts to hurt unless your lane is ultra‑cheap.

Week 1–2: Validate your 2026 cost lane by lane

Get written quotes for: Priok plug‑in, export THC, cold store handling/day rates, reefer trucking with genset line item, and ocean freight by service loop.
Confirm terminal name and rules. NPCT1 vs JICT plug‑in policies are not identical.
Finalize pack plan to hit your target Loaded_KG. Decide palletized vs floor‑load by customer requirements. Outcome: a lane‑specific per‑kg model you can defend.

Week 3–6: Pilot container and tighten the screws

Run one 20ft at your modeled load factor. Track actual time stamps: gate‑in, plug‑in start/stop, lift on.
Compare invoices to plan. We typically find 2–4 line items to renegotiate or operationally remove, like a day of storage caused by late VGM.
Lock SOPs: pre‑cooling, proof‑of‑temp at stuffing, and photo audit of T‑bar airflow. Outcome: real numbers and a repeatable SOP.

Week 7–12: Scale and optimize

Negotiate two‑way trucking lanes and driver night transits to beat traffic. It usually saves one day of plug‑in.
Test a 40ft reefer only if you can maintain airflow and hit 26 MT+.
Consider mixed SKUs if your cartons nest better and reach +500 to +800 kg per container. Questions about your model or want our live worksheet with current Jakarta rates? Feel free to Contact us on whatsapp.

5 costly mistakes we see (and how to avoid them)

Treating plug‑in as a rounding error. Two extra days can add IDR 1–1.5m. Gate in as close to cut‑off as operationally safe.
Palletizing by habit. If your buyer accepts floor‑load, you’re leaving 4–6 MT on the table by palletizing a 20ft.
Under‑specifying pack sizes. Odd carton dimensions choke airflow and reduce stack count. Use a tested pack pattern.
Ignoring D&D tiers. Free time assumptions vary by line. Confirm them per booking.
Rolling VGM to your forwarder. DIY VGM at your plant with calibrated scales. You’ll ship earlier in the stack plan and dodge terminal crowding.

Quick answers to questions we get every week

How do I calculate per‑kg for a 20ft reefer of frozen shrimp? Use the A–F fixed cost stack plus Variable_per_KG divided by Loaded_KG, then add ocean freight per kg.
Realistic 20ft load factor for 1 kg cartons? 24.0–25.0 MT floor‑loaded. 17.5–19.5 MT on pallets.
Priok plug‑in and monitoring 2026? IDR 400k–750k per day. Budget two days unless your forwarder secures same‑day stack.
Cold storage rate per pallet in Java? IDR 35k–65k per day at -18°C, handling 50k–80k per pallet each way.
20ft or 40ft cheaper per kg in 2026? 40ft wins only if you load 26 MT+ and pay ≤1.5x the 20ft ocean freight.
Break‑even fill rate? Usually 95–99% of your max load. Below 23.5 MT on a 20ft floor‑load, your per‑kg rises sharply.
Reefer trucking Cirebon–Priok? IDR 5.5–8.0m plus genset IDR 0.5–1.2m.

If you need a product spec that hits optimal carton dimensions and load factors, browse our line or ask for our standard shrimp pack drawings. You can start with our Frozen Shrimp (Black Tiger, Vannamei & Wild Caught). For buyers planning mixed loads with white‑fish portions, our IQF range, like Mahi Mahi Portion (IQF) or Grouper Fillet (IQF), uses carton sizes designed to maintain airflow in reefer floor‑loads.

Final thought. The math isn’t complicated. The discipline is. Measure the five or six line items that move monthly, protect your load factor, and ship to the stack plan. Do that, and your Indonesia shrimp cold chain cost in 2026 will stay where it should be: predictable and competitive.