Pelindo to develop S. Sumatra coal ports

State port operator PT Pelindo II and South Sumatra provincial administration on Thursday signed an MoU to jointly build sea port and river port to anticipate increasing coal production from the province, Kompas reported.

Under the deal, Pelindo will build coal transshipment port in Banyuasin which could serve panamax vessels. Pelindo will also build coal loading river port in Muara Abab, Sekayu, capable of loading 500 tonnes of coal per hour.

The ports are scheduled to start operations in 2012. (*)