Humpuss to expand coal transportation business

Shipping company PT. Humpuss Intermoda Transport (HIT) is eyeing to tap the country?s booming coal transportation business by adding tugs and barges to its armada.

HIT president Eddy Pramono said that the company would procure and operate 20 sets of tugs and barges in one year?s time to transport coal from Kalimantan to domestic market and to overseas.

?Coal transportation market is very promising in Indonesia,? said Eddy.

HIT had already operated three sets of tugs and barges to transport coal from East Kalimantan to Suralaya power plant in Banten province.

Eddy was optimistic with additional sets HIT would be able to control 30 percent shares of domestic coal transportation.

HIT is planning to issue Rp.300 billion (US$= Rp.9,000) bonds to support its plan.

Aside from producing tugs and barges, HIT is also planning to build coal-fired power plant in Lampung, in cooperation with local government. (alex)