Asian Bulk Logistics

Beyond coal

An Indonesian owner is diversifying aware of long-term trends for its main cargo

Having just bought its first panamax, Indonesia’s coal transfer specialist, Asian Bulk Logistics (ABL) is now looking at entering the gas trades.

The Jakarta-headquartered firm has nine coal transfer ships on its books and nearly 100 barges to go alongside panamax bulker Bulk Batavia which it acquired last month, fixing it on a long-term charter to haul coal around Indonesian waters.

As well as its coal operations in Indonesia, ABL has a growing business assisting bauxite exports from Guinea in West Africa.

Under Ika Bethari, ABL’s president director, the company has been moving away from its coal origins, aware that the commodity is increasingly being shunned.

Diversification of business lines has been ongoing for a number of years now, with a growing focus on nickel as well as overseas acquisitions.

“We don’t want to spend capex with high investment risks,

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10-year-old diverse Jakartaheadquartered firm with interests in ports, barges, blending and latterly panamaxes.

“We don’t want to spend capex with high investment risks” however we don’t want to miss any good opportunities,” Bethari tells “Technology is Maritime CEO. always ahead of

The Indonesian government regulations, but we is also cutting its reliance on coal, have to use it if we want to announcing plans to transform 52 power plants to gas, something where Bethari can see a clear opporstay ahead of regulatory pressure” tunity for ABL to branch out further — Søren Andersen, CEO with a possible entry into the feeder of StormGeo gas tanker trades. ●