Titan finalizing Bengkulu seaport to anticipate higher output

Coal mining group PT Titan Mining Indonesia is intensifying works to finalize the development of its new seaport in Kota Bani, North Bengkulu regency, Bengkulu province to anticipate an increasing coal production at its own coal mine.

The seaport will have a throughput capacity of 6 million tons per annum and is expected to be completed by the end of this year or early next year, the official told a Petromindo.Com on Thursday.

The seaport is only 20 kilometers away from Titan?s mine, the official said.

The seaport will be able to serve 300-feet barges and be equipped facilities to break waves as it direclty faces the vast Indian Ocean which is known for its big waves, the official said.

For transhipment point, the firm is considering several options, including Tikus island offshore western Bengkulu.

The company plans to boost coal production to 2 million tons next year and 3-4 million tons in 2012. All the coal is fully committed to Indian buyers, the official said without further elaborating.

?They (Indian buyer) even ask more coal from us (Titan),? the official added. (denny)