Banpu says Bontang coal terminal at 60% capacity

Thai energy giant Banpu PCL says its subsidiary Indominco Mandiri is loading coal at around 60 percent of capacity at its Bontang coal terminal in East Kalimantan, an executive of the company said, Bangkok Post reported Saturday.

"We've stabilised the loader and placed it in a fixed position so we've been able to advise customers that we can now load at around 2,000 tons an hour, roughly 60 percent of the normal rate," he said.

He added that the force majeure on coal shipments from Bontang remained in effect.

Earlier, the company said that it might be able to lift force majeure status for Bontang loading terminal within two weeks? time. The force majeure started on Feb 12.

Bontang Coal Terminal is Banpu's major port facility in Kalimantan, with throughput capacity of 12.5 million tonnes per annum. An investment of approximately US$ 60 million has recently been approved by the Banpu Board of Directors to upgrade the terminal and to expand ship-loading capacity to 18.5 million tonnes per annum by 2008. (*)