Increase Coal Unloading Capacity in Kertapati Area, Bukit Asam Synergizes with KAI and Semen Baturaja

JAKARTA – PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or PT KAI, and PT Semen Baturaja Tbk (SMBR) have agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the Plan to Increase the Capacity of Coal Unloading in the Kertapati Area.

The signing of the MoU was carried out by Rafli Yandra, Director of Business Development of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA); Rudi As Aturridha, Director of Business Development & Institutions of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero); Muhammad Syafitri, Director of Operations of PT Semen Baturaja Tbk (SMBR) at the Signature Lounge SIG, Jakarta, Tuesday (10/22/2024).

Also witnessing were Suhedi, Director of Operations & Production of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA); Hadis Surya Palapa, Director of Commerce of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero); Donny Arsal, President Director of PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (SIG); Yosviandri, Director of Supply Chain of PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (SIG); Suherman Yahya, President Director of PT Semen Baturaja Tbk (SMBR); Rahmat Hidayat, Director of Finance & HR Function of PT Semen Baturaja Tbk (SMBR); and Fredi Firmansyah, President Director of PT Kereta Api Logistik.

This collaboration aims to increase the capacity of coal unloading in the Kertapati area, Palembang. In addition, this collaboration is also to maximize the potential of each company, with the principle of mutual benefit and in accordance with good corporate governance.

Rafli Yandra, Director of Business Development of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), said that this synergy is part of PTBA’s efforts to increase coal transportation capacity.

“This collaboration is a strategic step for us to strengthen the logistics and infrastructure pillars. By increasing logistics capacity, we can contribute more to providing non-stop energy for the country,” said Rafli Yandra.

With coal reserves of 2.98 billion tons and resources of 5.81 billion tons, PTBA is one of the largest coal wealth managers in Indonesia. Increasing logistics capacity is an important step in accelerating the monetization of coal reserves and maintaining national energy security.

On the same occasion, Suherman Yahya, President Director of SMBR said that this collaboration is a strategic step in synergy between BUMN. “Semen Baturaja strongly supports this collaboration to strengthen the sustainability of energy raw material supply. This synergy also contributes to operational efficiency and has a positive impact on the regional economy and national infrastructure development,” he said.

KAI collaborates with PTBA and SMBR to increase coal transport capacity in Kertapati with a target completion in 2027. This is done considering the importance of developing coal and cement loading and unloading areas in the Palembang Divre III area to support national energy and infrastructure needs.

Didiek Hartantyo, President Director of KAI said that KAI recorded positive performance in freight transportation during the period from January to September 2024, where KAI transported 50,987,328 tons of goods or an increase of 8% compared to the same period from January to September 2023 of 47,174,683 tons of goods.

Coal transportation dominates with a total of 40,828,696 tons or 80% of KAI’s total freight transportation. Freight transportation by train has various advantages such as punctuality, safety, large capacity, free from illegal levies, and managed by professional human resources. Another advantage is that freight transportation by train is capable of transporting very large capacities. One carriage can carry 50 tons or the size of 2 container trucks. In fact, one series of coal transportation trains in southern Sumatra can pull 61 carriages or 3,000 tons at once. If transported by trucks, it would take approximately 120 trucks.

“Transportation of goods by train certainly supports more efficient logistics costs, reduces congestion and pollution that supports environmental sustainability,” concluded Didiek. (*)