Pelindo, coal miners team up to dredge Bengkulu port

As many as 14 coal mining companies have agreed to help finance the dredging works of the Pulau Baai port in Bengkulu which are estimated to cost about Rp 125 billion (1US$ = Rp 8,670).

The agreement was signed in Bengkulu last Friday by president director of state port operator PT Pelindo II, R.J. Lino and representatives of the coal mining companies including PT Reksaindo Guriang Tandang, PT Kaltim Global, PT Bara Adhipratama, PT Citra Selaras, PT Danau Mas Hitam, PT Indonesia Riau Srivantika and PT Borneo Suktan Mining.

PT Pelindo II spokesman Hambar Wiyadi said that under the agreement, the coal miners will each contribute between US$1.5 and $5 for every tonne of their coal shipped through the port.

He said that the mining company would pay $1.5 per tonne of coal when the dredging reached the mean low water springs (MLWS) of -6.5. The contribution is increased to $5 per tonne when the dredging reached MLWS of -10.

With the dredging works, the port which at present can only receive a vessel with a capacity of about 10,000 gross weight tonnage (GWT), is expected to be able to receive a vessel with a capacity of between 40,000 and 50,000 tonnes. (*)