JAKARTA: Transportation Minister Ignatius Jonan is scheduled to inaugurate a coal port belonging to state-owned coal miner PT Bukit Asam (PTBA) in Tarahan, Lampung.
Improving the capacity of the company’s coal port was part of a joint commitment and effort to improve synergy among state-owned enterprises, the Transportation Ministry said in a statement.
“The cooperation between PTBA and state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) is aimed at supporting national energy policy,” said the ministry as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Under the partnership, which was initiated in 1984, PTBA is responsible for coal mining activities while KAI handles transportation matters.
Meanwhile, sea transportation and electricity generation are entrusted to state shipping firm PT Bahtera Adhi Guna and coal-fired steam power plant (PLTU) Suralaya.
The ministry says that with the recently built quay, PTBA’s coal port in Tarahan will become Indonesia’s biggest port, with the ability to accommodate vessels with dead-weight tonnage (DWT) of 210,000.
Currently, Tarahan coal port can accommodate three vessels with a capacity of 210,000 DWT, 80,000 DWT and 10,000 DWT all at once.
“With its port development, PTBA can compete with coal producers from Australia while at the same time support the government’s maritime sovereignty program,” says the ministry.
“This can also help push forward the national shipping industry and serve domestic coal needs.”
