Pertamina to auction controversial oil tankers

The headquarter office of the state oil company Pertamina has finally agreed to speed up the auction of several old oil tankers, which have been charged with causing sea pollution in the Dumai port, Riau.

"The headquarter office in Jakarta has in principle agreed to the demand for the local administration and concilors to sell the Duma sea," Putu Gede, the head of the state oil company's operation unit in Dumai.

The old oil tankers, laid up near the Dumai port, has become the target of criticism after a finding indicates that oil spills coming from the tankers have caused a major pollution in the local sea.

The local office of Pertamina denied responsibility and asked the local administration and concilors to address their complaints to the state oil company's headquarter in Jakarta.

However, Putu said that the auction would take time as a number of things should first be prepared before launching the auction of the old tankers, which have for some time been laid up near the Dumai port for repair. (*)