APOL to start operations of unloading barge Oct

IDX-listed shipping company PT Arpeni Pratama Ocean Line Tbk (APOL) said on Wednesday that its floating storage and self unloader barge will start operations in the waters of South Kalimantan in October this year.

CEO Oentoro Suryo said in Singapore that the vessel will be operating to support operations of sister companies PT Asmin Bara Bronang (ABB), which is expected to start production in October this year and PT Asmin Bara Jaan (ABJ).

The barge will have capacity to stockpile 60,000 tonnes of coal and 5,000 tonnes per hour of unloading capacity.

The barge will also function as coal blending center.

According to Oentoro, ABB will produce 1.5 million tonnes of coal in 2011, ramping up to 3.5 MT in 2012. ABJ, which is located close to ABB will start production in 2011 with planned combined output of 10 MTPA could be reached within the next few years.

The companies will build 87-km haul road from the mines to Barito River, where coal will be barged to APOL?s floating storage and unloader barge, he said. (denny)