The government will immediately release as many as 14 coal carriers having already a full load of coal for export and having paid by buyers.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the policy was taken in view of the fact that supply for state power plant PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) had getting better, meaning that the stock for PLN was quite enough.
But Luhut urged the related authorities – the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal and the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (Hubla) – do verification for the 14 coal carriers.
Luhut also said that another authority of Bakamla needed to carry out supervision so that no coal carriers outside the list or the ones that had been verified by the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal and Hubla.
“The 14 coal carriers that already have a full load of coal, and have been paid for by the buyer can be immediately released for export,” Luhut said Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
However, Luhut noted that other barges outside the list are not permitted yet for export. They are all to focus for domestic distribution to power plants Thus, the barge has not been allowed to export.
As reported earlier, many parties have actually stood against the sudden export ban, including the coal producers and import countries. Even, Japan has explicitly stated protest and asked for revision as the ban has forced some coal carriers stuck at the coal ports/terminals.
Kanasugi Kenji, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Indonesia has sent a letter asking the government to reconsider this policy (coal export ban).
Japan Embassy reported that there were at least five coal carriers (bulkers) which were stuck at some ports (coal terminals) but they have been loaded with coal and waiting for departure.