B20 Distribution to Eastern Part Delayed by a Lack of Ships

THE Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Director General, Rida Mulyana reiterated his view that the problem that delay the implementation of expanded B20 mandatory policy is merely a technical problem and is nothing to do with the regulation. Rida acknowledged that Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), the raw material of which is crude palm oil, has yet to be supplied to some fuel terminals in eastern part of Indonesia, such as in Nusa Tenggara Timur, Maluku, Papua, and Sulawesi. “The problem is merely operational matter because of a lack of ships to distribute FAME. It has nothing to do with regulation nor with the price,” Rida said in Jakarta, Wednesday (27/9/2018). He said, from the total 112 fuel terminals available, only 69 of them or 60% have obtained FAME supplies. The problem is allegedly because the infrastructure is not ready yet to distribute FAME to remote areas. For instance, in some area the distribution process was halted by long line of shipment. Rida demanded PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (persero), the Indonesia`s foremost provider of roll-on/roll-off ferry transport services, to give priority to FAME distribution. Beside, a lack of ships is also a problem. Some areas are hard to reach since there is no proper ship to load FAME. “Infrastructure and storage tanks are not 100% ready. We have wait in line for the shipment. We demanded ASDP to give priority to FAME distribution. FAME distribution has to be treated like basic household needs and fuels,” Rida said. ***