Arpeni to operate coal unloading barge in Feb. 2011

Indonesia-listed shipping company PT Arpeni Pratama Ocean Line Tbk said on Friday that its coal floating storage and self unloader barge will start operation in the waters of South Kalimantan in February next year, instead of October this year under the initial plan.

CEO Oentoro Surya said that the construction of the barge has been completed, but will take another few months to start commercial operation. ?The barge is expected to start commissioning by year-end,? he said on Friday.

In a January statement, Oentoro said the barge will have capacity to stockpile 60,000 tons of coal and 5,000 tons per hour of unloading capacity. The barge will also function as coal blending center.

He said that the barge will be operating to support the operations of sister companies PT Asmin Bara Bronang (ABB) and PT Asmin Bara Jaan (ABJ). Both mines are expected to start production in first quarter of next year.

Oentoro said that ABB will produce 1.5 million tons of coal in 2011 and 3.5 million tons (MT) in 2012. Meanwhile, ABJ mine, located close to ABB, will start production in 2011. Both miners planned to produce a combined 10 MTPA within the next few years, he then said.

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

Elsewhere on Friday, Oentoro also said that the company is expected to increase coal shipment for next year to 16.5 million tons from this year?s target of 14 million tons.

This year's coal shipment is likely surpassing the target, he said.

?Our shipments are mostly going to overseas destinations. Domestic (market) only accounts for around 10-15 percent,? he added. (giok)