Altus to start operations of new transhippers Feb

PT Altus Lines Indonesia, a unit of Singapore-based shipping and logistics firm Altus Group said its two new transhippers Quito AKM-3 and Quito AKM-5 had arrived in Tarakan water, East Kalimantan from Batam.

General Manager Irwan Susanto told Petromindo.Com on Friday that Quito AKM-3 is currently in commissioning. Both transhippers would b ready for full operations in February, he said.

The trans-shippers are contracted to East Kalimantan coal mining firm Mandiri Intiperkasa for five years, starting January 2009. The trans-shippers will have combined maximum capacity of 20,000 tonnes per day with guaranteed capacity of 18,000 TPD.

Irwan also said the company is close to extend contract of its other transhipper Quito Samarinda with East Kalimantan coal miner PT.Anugrah Bara Kaltim (ABK). ?We are currently in final negotiation on price and length of contract,? he said. Under the current 5-year contract that would end this year, Quito Samarinda has guaranteed tonnage of 2MTPA from ABK. Altus has a 5-year contract with ABK since 2004. (denny)