Indonesia’s booming e-commerce sector faces a unique challenge: delivering parcels across the world’s largest archipelago. With over 17,000 islands spanning 5,000 kilometers, logistics companies are innovating to bridge the gap between digital convenience and geographical reality. The secret? A hybrid system combining ferry networks and nimble bike couriers like Anto, a 59-year-old delivery rider on Pramuka Island.
The nation’s $100B+ e-commerce market, growing at 25% annually, depends on adaptive last-mile solutions. Ferries transport bulk goods between islands before local couriers take over, often carrying packages via motorbikes through narrow coastal paths. This approach keeps costs 40% lower than air freight while serving remote communities.
“Every parcel tells a story,” says Anto, who delivers 50+ packages daily. “From fishing gear to school textbooks – we’re connecting islands to opportunities.” Tech platforms now optimize routes in real-time, but human ingenuity remains crucial when addresses don’t exist and deliveries depend on landmark descriptions.
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How are parcels delivered in a country of over 17,000 islands?
cgtn.com
