Barges resume coal transport on Barito River

Following a two-week ban, barges carrying coal and timber are now allowed to pass through below the KH Hasan Basri Muarateweh Bridge in Central Kalimantan as the water level at the Barito River has declined to safe level, local reports said on Tuesday.

The North Barito transportation office lifted on Tuesday the ban for large vessels to pass through the Barito River. ?The shipping ban for vessels and barges has been revoked,? Head of the River Transportation at the North Barito Regency Transportation Office, Rizalfi was quoted by Tribunnews as saying.

The Barito River is the main transportation route used by miners including giants in the North Barito and Murung Raya regencies to ship out their coal production for export and domestic markets. ?The water level at the Barito River has declined, and thus river transportation particularly large tonnages are now safe,? Rizalfi said, while adding that if the water level increases again, the administration would be forced to revived the river transportation ban again. (*)