IBT declares force majeur after vessel hits jetty

South Kalimantan coal terminal operator Indonesia Bulk Terminal on Monday declared force majeur to its customers after a vessel hit the port?s jetty while trying to maneuver, causing the company unable to continue its activities.

IBT operations manager Lanang Purnomo told Petromindo.Com that on January 3 at 07.20 hours local time, MV Artemis, a panamax vessel, while maneuvering to berth as it was nearing the berth, swung and come in and hit the jetty .

Serious damage was caused to the conveyor belt structures of approximate 60 meters length and walkaway. The damage has caused IBT to cease operation.

Lanang said while repairing activities had already taken place, it would take 4-6 weeks of repair before the terminal?s activities can be resumed.

IBT operates a coal terminal in Pulau Laut off South Kalimantan with throughput capacity of around 8 MTPA. Its major client is its affiliated company South Kalimantan coal producer PT. Adaro Indonesia. Adaro shipped some 6 million tons of coal from IBT last year. Other clients are Arutmin Indonesia, Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku, Aspac Coalindo and Marunda Graha Minerals. (godang/robert/alex)