High waves halt coal shipment

High waves which currently hit many parts of the country?s seas have seriously affected coal shipment from coal producers in Kalimantan to major coal-fired power plants in Java, Koran Tempo reported on Saturday.

Many coal ships have delayed their trips while those which have already rolled out from local ports have to halt their journeys at small islands along the Kalimantan and Java shipping lanes due to the bad weather.

Bandi, an executive of PT Haluan Sigaran Land shipping agent, said in Cirebon, West Java on Friday that at least 30 coal barges had to stop their journeys and anchored in small islands to wait for a good weather.

?The ships mostly stop near Karimun and Bawean islands to avoid the high waves,? he said, adding that the high waves which have hit many parts of the country?s seas since December last year had been worse than those of last year.

According to Dani Jaelani, an official at the Cirebon port, the high waves of up to two meters occurs at seas around Riau Islands, Sunda Strait and Bali Strait. ?However, on Jave sea, Indian Ocean and Karimata strait, the waves could reach as high as six meters,? he added.

No comments, however, came from the Cirebon and other major coal-fired power plants in the country on the impact of the high waves on their coal shipment. (*)