Banpu to go ahead with Bontang coal terminal expansion plan

Thai energy conglomerate Banpu Plc. is going ahead with plan to expand capacity of its Bontang coal terminal in East Kalimantan to 18.5 million tons per annum from 8.5 MTPA currently, a company executive said.

Aphimuk Taifayongvichit, Banpu?s Chief Marketing and Logistic Planner told Petromindo.Com in an interview recently that feasibility study for expansion would be completed this month and the work is expected to go ahead in the first quarter of next year, with completion seen early 2007.

He said that loading rate would be ramped up to 9,000 tons per hour (tph) from 2,500 tph currently and stockpile capacity would be increased to 800,000 tons from 350,000 tons. The terminal would be able to service vessels up to 90,000 DWT, 250 m LOA, 43 meter Beam and 13.5 Draft.

He also added that Banpu had also contracted Balikpapan Coal Terminal (BCT) as one of the company?s loading port. Banpu will load up to 3 MTPA of coal in 2005, ramping up to 5.0 MTPA 2006 onward from BCT.

Banpu is planning major expansion from its East Kalimantan, by boosting production to 17 MTPA in 2006. Banpu operates four coalmines in East Kalimantan, namely Indominco Mandiri, Kitadin, Trubaindo and Bharinto ekatama. (alex)