Indonesia allowed 37 vessels loaded with coal to depart last week in the strongest sign yet that the world’s biggest thermal coal exporter is relaxing its ban on shipments.
A senior cabinet minister said in a statement the ban implemented on Jan. 1 had been eased for miners that have met a requirement to sell a portion of their output for local power generation, after the state utility procured enough coal to ensure 15 days of operation.
“I request that this is supervised closely so this also becomes a moment for us to improve domestic governance,” Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan said in last weeks statement.
Bumi Resources a leading producer director Dileep Srivastava said in a statement the company was awaiting formal confirmation from the government but said an easing would be a positive development.
