📌 Week 30
Coal exports from Kalimantan reached 4.2 mt this week, with China and India absorbing the bulk of shipments.
Coal exports from Kalimantan reached 4.2 million tons this week, with China and India absorbing the majority of shipments.
- China: Continued strong demand for thermal coal to support power generation, with steady intake from Kalimantan ports.
- India: Maintained firm buying interest, balancing domestic supply gaps with Indonesian imports.
- Port Signals: Loading operations at Balikpapan and Samarinda ran smoothly, with minimal congestion reported.
- Market Context: Stable freight rates and resilient Pacific basin demand provided a floor for vessel employment, ensuring steady outbound flows.
- Higher CV parcels saw firmer interest from Chinese buyers, supporting stable FOB activity.
📌 Week 30
Coal exports from Kalimantan reached 4.2 mt this week, with China and India absorbing the bulk of shipments.
Coal exports from Kalimantan reached 4.2 million tons this week, with China and India absorbing the majority of shipments.
- China: Continued strong demand for thermal coal to support power generation, with steady intake from Kalimantan ports.
- India: Maintained firm buying interest, balancing domestic supply gaps with Indonesian imports.
- Port Signals: Loading operations at Balikpapan and Samarinda ran smoothly, with minimal congestion reported.
- Market Context: Stable freight rates and resilient Pacific basin demand provided a floor for vessel employment, ensuring steady outbound flows.
- Higher CV parcels saw firmer interest from Chinese buyers, supporting stable FOB activity.
📌 Week 30
Processed nickel flows to the Philippines remain steady, reinforcing Indonesia’s role in regional mineral supply chains.
Processed nickel products — primarily nickel pig iron (NPI) and ferronickel — continue to move steadily from Indonesia to the Philippines, reinforcing Indonesia’s role in regional mineral supply chains. While raw ore exports remain banned under Indonesia’s downstreaming policy, the Philippines relies on Indonesian processed nickel to feed its smelting and refining capacity.
Sulawesi–Philippines vessel rotations continued without disruption, ensuring reliable supply to smelters.
Policy Sidebar – Nickel Exports
Indonesia banned the export of raw nickel ore in January 2020. Current flows to the Philippines are in the form of processed nickel products (such as nickel pig iron and ferronickel), which remain permitted under Indonesia’s downstreaming policy. By year‑end 2026, all nickel exports will be centralized through state‑owned enterprises.
Industry Outlook
Key nickel stakeholders will convene in Jakarta this November for the 5th Nickel Producers, Processors & Buyers Conference, where 2027 supply‑chain strategies and downstreaming decisions are expected to take shape.
📌 Week 30
Inbound Cargo Overview
Indonesia recorded steady inbound cargo activity across Week 30, driven primarily by sulphur shipments for nickel smelters in Sulawesi. These facilities rely heavily on sulphur for acid production and processing, making it one of the country’s most consistent and strategically important inbound dry bulk commodities. Vessel flow into smelter-linked ports remained predictable, supported by stable industrial demand and smooth discharge operations.
Overall sentiment was neutral‑positive, with no major operational disruptions reported.
Sulphur Demand — Sulawesi Smelters Lead Imports
Sulphur remained the dominant inbound commodity this week, with strong intake from major nickel processing hubs:
- Morowali (IMIP)
- Konawe (IWIP)
- Bantaeng
- Pomalaa
- Bahodopi
These smelters continued to consume sulphur at high volumes for HPAL and refining operations. Cargo flow was steady, reflecting ongoing expansion and stable production cycles across Sulawesi’s industrial corridor.
Sulphur Import Origins
Indonesia continues to import sulphur primarily from the Middle East — led by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Oman — forming the backbone of supply for nickel smelters in Sulawesi such as Morowali (IMIP), Konawe (IWIP), Bantaeng, Pomalaa, and Bahodopi. Supplemental volumes also arrive from East Asia, including China, South Korea, and Japan, supporting stable intake during refinery maintenance cycles or when Middle Eastern supply tightens. Smaller, irregular parcels occasionally originate from India, Russia, and Turkmenistan depending on regional refinery output. Tracking these origins provides a clear indicator of smelter activity, industrial demand, and vessel flow into Sulawesi, helping owners, operators, and charterers anticipate inbound cargo patterns and tonnage requirements.
Vessel Segments & Cargo Flow
Sulphur parcels were primarily carried by:
- Supramax
- Handymax
- Handysize
Inquiry levels remained consistent throughout Week 30, with owners maintaining balanced offers and charterers securing tonnage without significant rate pressure. Regional short-haul demand stayed firm, supported by predictable smelter intake.
Port Conditions & Discharge Operations
Port operations across Sulawesi were smooth and efficient:
- Morowali: steady discharge, normal anchorage
- Konawe: predictable vessel flow, minimal delays
- Bantaeng: stable operations, weather manageable
- Pomalaa: consistent intake, no major stoppages
- Bahodopi: normal turnaround, efficient handling
Weather windows were favorable, with limited interruptions across all smelter-linked ports.
Freight Sentiment & Market Signals
Freight sentiment for inbound sulphur remained stable:
- Indo–China routes: neutral
- Indo–India routes: steady
- Regional trades: firm demand
- Owners’ offers: balanced, minimal volatility
Sulphur demand continues to provide reliable employment for Supramax and Handysize vessels, reinforcing Indonesia’s position as a major industrial importer.
Other Inbound Cargo Notes
While sulphur dominated inbound flows, minor volumes of supporting industrial materials were also recorded:
- gypsum for cement and industrial use
- caustic soda for refining
- general bulk parcels for smelter operations
These cargoes remained secondary but stable across Week 30.
SMARTIN Import Signals
- Sulphur remains Indonesia’s most strategic inbound commodity
- Sulawesi smelters continue to lead national sulphur intake
- Vessel flow into Morowali and Konawe stays consistent
- Supramax/Handymax demand supported by predictable cargo intake
- Port conditions stable across all smelter-linked hubs
- Industrial expansion continues to support inbound cargo stability
Summary
Week 30 delivered a stable inbound cargo environment across Indonesia, led by strong sulphur demand from Sulawesi’s nickel smelting sector. Vessel flow was predictable, port operations were smooth, and freight sentiment remained neutral‑positive. Sulphur continues to be a key indicator of industrial strength and smelter production activity, reinforcing its importance within Indonesia’s inbound dry bulk ecosystem.
📌 Week 30
Surabaya recorded steady fertilizer import activity this week, supporting agricultural demand across Java and surrounding regions. Vessel flow into Surabaya’s main terminals remained predictable, with consistent Supramax and Handysize employment and smooth discharge operations. Fertilizer intake continues to be one of the most stable inbound cargo streams for East Java, driven by seasonal agricultural cycles and ongoing distribution requirements.
Finished Fertilizer Products — Stable Weekly Intake
Finished fertilizer products arrived in steady volumes throughout Week 30, with no major fluctuations in demand. Cargoes were discharged efficiently, supported by stable port conditions and favorable weather windows. Inquiry levels from receivers remained consistent, reflecting normal replenishment cycles across Java’s agricultural supply chain.
Rock Phosphate — Key Raw Material for Domestic Production
In addition to finished fertilizer products, Indonesia imported rock phosphate, a critical raw material used in domestic fertilizer manufacturing. Rock phosphate shipments complemented broader fertilizer intake, ensuring stable supply for processing facilities in Java. Vessel flow for rock phosphate remained smooth, with predictable discharge operations and minimal delays reported across Week 30.
Port Conditions & Discharge Operations
Surabaya’s terminals operated efficiently throughout the week:
- steady vessel arrivals
- normal anchorage conditions
- minimal weather interruptions
- smooth cargo handling and documentation flow
No significant operational disruptions were recorded.
Freight Sentiment & Vessel Employment
Freight sentiment for fertilizer and rock phosphate remained neutral:
- Supramax/Handysize demand stable
- regional short‑haul trades firm
- owners’ offers balanced
- charterers securing tonnage without rate pressure
Inbound agricultural cargoes continue to provide reliable employment for regional vessels.
SMARTIN Fertilizer Signals
- Surabaya remains the primary gateway for fertilizer imports into Java
- rock phosphate intake complements finished fertilizer volumes
- vessel flow steady across Supramax/Handysize segments
- port conditions stable with predictable turnaround
- agricultural demand continues to support inbound cargo stability
Summary
Week 30 delivered a stable fertilizer import environment for Surabaya, with consistent volumes of finished products and rock phosphate supporting Java’s agricultural sector. Vessel flow was predictable, port operations were smooth, and freight sentiment remained neutral‑positive. Fertilizer and rock phosphate continue to form a reliable inbound cargo base for regional dry bulk employment.
Coal price snapshot
Indonesian Coal Index (ICI) — 24 July 2026
- ICI 1 (6500 GAR): USD 125.22/t
- ICI 2 (5800 GAR): USD 101.46/t
- ICI 3 (5000 GAR): USD 82.04/t
- ICI 4 (4200 GAR): USD 62.48/t
- ICI 5 (3400 GAR): USD 39.86/t
Prices show mild week‑on‑week softening but remain elevated versus June levels, especially in higher GAR bands.
HBA — July 2026 (Period I)
- 6,322 kcal GAR: USD 126.58/t
- 5,300 kcal GAR: USD 90.94/t
- 4,100 kcal GAR: USD 62.59/t
- 3,400 kcal GAR: USD 41.91/t
HBA’s broad increase versus June reflects firm global demand and resilient power‑sector consumption.
Market read: Coal pricing remains supportive for Indonesian producers and exporters, with high‑GAR grades still commanding strong premiums.
SMARTIN Benchmark Suite – Weekly Coal Prices
Weekly snapshot of Indonesia’s key thermal coal benchmarks, reflecting market movements across HBA, Argus, and McCloskey.
HBA
HBA1 (6322 GAR) : $131.85
HBA2 (5300 GAR) : $89.90
HBA3 (4100 GAR) : $63.25
HBA4 (3400 GAR) : $45.08
Argus / ICI
ICI1 (6500 GAR) : $127.72
ICI2 (5800 GAR) : $92.87
ICI3 (5000 GAR) : $72.24
ICI4 (4200 GAR) : $51.18
ICI5 (3400 GAR) : $31.78
McCloskey
M63 (6300 GAR) : $121.08
M58 (5800 GAR) : $102.66
M50 (5000 GAR) : $82.10
M42 (4200 GAR) : $62.06
M34 (3400 GAR) : $40.24
Micro‑Commentary
Benchmark coal prices showed mixed performance this week. Lower- and mid-CV products maintained upward momentum, while high-CV coal remained range-bound. McCloskey assessments indicate stronger pricing for 4200–5800 GAR coal compared with ICI references, highlighting continued demand for medium-rank Indonesian material.
📌 Week 30
Market Sentiment — Week 30 Overview
Dry bulk freight sentiment held steady across Indonesia this week, supported by consistent coal and mineral flows from major loading regions. Panamax and Supramax demand remained firm, while Handysize activity stayed resilient on short‑haul regional trades. Owners maintained a balanced stance, with charterers showing stable inquiry levels across Indo–India and Indo–China routes.
Overall, the market tone was neutral‑positive, with no major disruptions reported in vessel flow or port operations.
Panamax & Supramax Activity
Panamax demand was driven by steady coal liftings out of South Kalimantan and East Kalimantan. Supramax activity remained healthy, supported by mixed cargoes including coal, nickel ore, and general bulk parcels.
- Indo–India freight sentiment: stable
- Indo–China freight sentiment: slightly firmer on mid‑CV coal demand
- Owners maintained steady offers with minimal volatility
- Charterers continued to secure tonnage without significant rate pressure
Handysize & Regional Trades
Handysize vessels saw consistent short‑haul demand across Indonesia, particularly for:
- coal parcels
- bagged cargo
- general bulk
- regional mineral movements
Rates remained stable, with no major congestion affecting smaller vessel classes.
Port Conditions & Turnaround Times
Port operations across Indonesia were generally smooth:
- Taboneo: normal queues, steady loading
- Muara Berau: stable conditions, predictable turnaround
- Kendal: no significant delays
- Balikpapan: consistent operations, weather manageable
No major weather disruptions were reported during Week 30.
Vessel Flow & Congestion Signals
Vessel flow remained predictable across major coal and mineral hubs. Congestion stayed within normal ranges, with no abnormal waiting times.
- Panamax/Supramax flow: steady
- Handy flow: consistent
- Tug and barge operations: normal
- Anchorage conditions: stable
Post‑Fixture Performance
Post‑fixture operations were smooth across Week 30:
- loading/discharging delays: minimal
- NOR acceptance: normal
- weather stoppages: limited
- documentation flow: stable
- agency coordination: efficient across SMARTIN ports
No significant disputes or operational escalations were reported.
SMARTIN Operational Signals — Week 30
- Mid‑CV coal demand continues to support Supramax/Panamax activity
- Indo–India routes show slight upward pressure
- Port conditions remain stable across major hubs
- Weather windows favorable for loading
- Owners maintain balanced sentiment with steady offers
Summary
Week 30 delivered a stable dry bulk environment across Indonesia. Freight sentiment remained neutral‑positive, vessel flow was predictable, and port operations were smooth. Charterers and owners maintained balanced positions, with no major disruptions affecting coal or mineral movement.
📌 Week 30
Balikpapan coal terminals reported smooth operations with minimal congestion this week.
- Berthing Efficiency: Vessel turnaround times remained within normal ranges, with no significant delays reported.
- Cargo Readiness: Coal stockpiles at loading points were adequate, ensuring steady barge‑to‑ship transfers.
- Weather Impact: Favorable conditions supported uninterrupted loading, with no disruptions from heavy rain or swell.
- Favorable weather supported uninterrupted loading across major terminals.
Announcement
Latest verified figures from Indonesia’s official sources (BPS & ESDM), covering national trade, coal production, and nickel exports. Published with a delay, these datasets provide the structural baseline behind SMARTIN’s weekly market intelligence.