APBI turns down new fee from Pelabuhan Indonesia

Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI) rejects the new policy by state owned port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia to impose fees on coal transshipment activities.

?This new policy is in conflict with Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 5/2005. We have to reject it, no service no pay,? APBI chairman Jeffrey Mulyono said on Monday without providing details on the fee.

The Inpres No.5/2005 sets several rules aimed at empowering the local shipping industry. It among others bans foreign-flagged ships to transport goods from one area to another in Indonesia.

According to Jeffrey, coal mining companies such as PT Adaro Indonesia, PT Kideco Jaya Agung, PT Arutmin Indonesia, have approached the ministry of transportation to annul the new policy.

Most of coal mining operators in Kalimantan use transshipment method to ship their coals due to the limitation of coal port capacity. (godang)