Altus to start operations of new trans-shippers early 2009

PT Altus Lines Indonesia, a unit of Singapore-based shipping and logistics firm Altus Group will start operations of its two new trans-shippers in Tarakan, East Kalimantan early next year, a company official said.

General Manager Irwan Susanto told Petromindo.Com on Tuesday that Quito AKM-3 and Quito AKM-5 will leave from Batam to Tarakan in the second week of December.

The trans-shippers are contracted to East Kalimantan coal mining firm Mandiri Intiperkasa for five years, starting January 2009.

The trans-shipper will have combined maximum capacity of 20,000 tonnes per day with guaranteed capacity of 18,000 TPD.

Mandiri has guaranteed tonnage of 2.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) for the trans-shippers throughout the contract life. Irwan said with throughput capacity of 4MTPA, both trans-shippers are still open for spot transshipment contracts. However, Irwan said, under the contract, any spot order must get approval from Mandiri. ?A number of coal mining and trading firms had expressed interest using Quito AKM-3 and Quito AKM-5 spare capacity,? he said.

Irwan also said the company will start formal negotiation to extend the contract of trans-shipper Quito Samarida with East Kalimantan coal miner PT.Anugrah Bara Kaltim. Under the present contract Quito Samarinda has guaranteed tonnage of 2MTPA from ABK. Altus has a 5-year contract with ABK since 2004. (denny)