Indonesia Says May Allow Coal Exports Resumption By Tuesday

COAL - JAKARTA. Indonesia's government may allow coal exports by Tuesday, a senior minister said on Monday, as pressure mounts on the world's biggest thermal coal exporter to end a ban imposed at New Year.

The suspension, which came after state power utility PLN reported critically low inventory levels of the fuel, sent global coal prices higher last week and prompted calls by Japan, South Korea and the Philippines for it to be eased.

"End of today or tomorrow we can release some of the big vessels," Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan said in an interview with CNBC on Monday.

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Energy Minister Arifin Tasrif had earlier on Monday told Japan's industry minister Koichi Hagiuda that he hoped Indonesia may come to a decision in the coming days.

Hagiuda said Japanese companies wanted clarity from Indonesia.

"Also, there are some Japanese ships that have already been loaded (with coal), so if it takes time to make an adjustment," he said.

"We would like to ask you to at least allow those ships to leave for Japan."

Japan's embassy in Jakarta last week asked Indonesia to exclude from the ban high-calorific coal, which is not used by domestic power plants.

Although authorities have said the coal supply emergency was over at PLN, the government has said other issues needed to be addressed before lifting the ban.

Discussions were expected to resume on Monday, focusing on logistics issues, industry officials told Reuters.

Shipping companies were working to reach the best solution to meet PLN's coal demand, said Carmelita Hartoto, chairperson of Indonesia Shipowners Association.

A PLN spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for details on its latest supply situation.