High waves still hampers S. Kalimantan coal shipment

High waves have hampered shipment of coal from South Kalimantan to Java over the past several weeks, Kompas.com reported on Saturday.

"We have received information that the transportation of coal to Java is still hampered by waves. The height of the waves reach three up to four meters. It is thus extremely dangerous for the transportation of coal," Captain Sufrisman Jaffar, the administrator of the Banjarmasin Seaport, said in Banjarmasin on Friday.

Tugboats carrying 8,000 ? 13,000 tons of coal must take shelter first in Bawean Island, Karimun Jawa and Masalembo until the waves in Java Sea recede. ?The weather in the last couple weeks was unpredictable,? he said.

According to Sufrisman, there are at least 18 coal carriers coming out of Barito River seaward every day to carry coal for the domestic and export markets.

South Kalimantan is a major coal producer in Indonesia, aside from East Kalimantan and South Sumatra. (*)