Association: Partial Restriction of ODOL Trucks Leads to Logistics Cost Surge

Summary of the News: The sudden limitation on ODOL truck operations is feared to trigger a surge in logistics costs. The ALI asks local governments to follow the central policy of zero ODOL starting in 2027. Logistics transportation should not be regulated per region as it will disrupt the national flow of goods. The Chairman of the Indonesian Logistics Association (ALI), Mahendra Rianto, questions the reasons for road damage used as the basis for limiting Over Dimension Overloading (ODOL) trucks. He considers the claim weak and not yet technically proven. What is certain, he says, sudden limitations will cause a surge in logistics costs as transport capacity decreases and the number of trips increases. ‘Transportation costs affect prices up to 40 percent. The snowball effect: costs rise, prices follow,’ he said in a statement quoted on Thursday (11/20/2025). According to him, regions should follow the central policy that sets zero ODOL by 2027. Industries with long distribution chains—including packaged drinking water (AMDK)—are said to be the most affected early on. Reduced capacity will inflate distribution costs and drive up product prices at all stages, from raw materials to retail. ‘The ones who lose are still the people,’ he said.