PTBA allowed to resume coal shipment through Musi river

State-owned coal mining company PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam (PTBA) will be allowed to resume coal shipment through the Musi river in South Sumatra, Antara news agency reported Wednesday.

South Sumatra's governor Syahrial Oesman said in Palembang Tuesday that he had asked related agencies in the province to soon reopen the river for coal shipment because the closure would only hurt many coal buyers such as the Suralaya power plant in Banten.

"I have asked my staff to solve the problem in three days from now (Tuesday)," he was quoted as saying.

Earlier, The South Sumatra provincial government has decided to prohibit coal carriers from passing below the Ampera Bridge, because tug boats have frequently hit security fence and pillar of the bridge. (*)