Indonesia’s coal industry is seeking further clarification from the government regarding the planned implementation of a centralized, one-door coal export system that would route shipments through a state-owned trading entity, as stakeholders raise questions over contracts, intermediaries, and the operational framework of the new mechanism.
The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI) said it plans to hold a formal audience with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to discuss technical details of the proposed export arrangement, which is expected to be implemented through PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI), a state-linked entity designated to manage export flows.
The discussion follows a socialization meeting on the proposed policy at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, where government officials outlined preliminary plans for restructuring coal export administration.
APBI Executive Director Gita Mahyarani said the mining industry still requires substantial clarification before the system can be implemented, particularly regarding the status of existing contracts, the operational role of intermediaries or traders, and the technical structure of the export platform itself.
According to Gita, the association expects further engagement with the government, including a potential follow-up meeting with the Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, as the industry prepares for a transition that could significantly alter established export practices.
She emphasized that many operational questions remain unresolved, especially concerning how the new system will interact with current contractual arrangements and third-party trading relationships that are widely used by coal producers.
“There are still many questions from our side. After this meeting, we were informed that there may be another discussion with the Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. We are still waiting because there are many details that we do not yet understand,” Gita said.
She added that key uncertainties include the future status of long-term contracts, the role of trading companies, and the way in which the new system will be structured in practice.
One of the main concerns raised by the association is how PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia will function within the export chain and whether it will act as an intermediary, a regulator, or a centralized exporter.
Many Indonesian coal producers currently rely on established trading partners to market and distribute their output to international buyers. These relationships are often governed by long-term agreements, some of which extend for three to four years or more.
Industry representatives have questioned how such agreements will be treated under the new system, particularly whether existing contracts will remain valid, be transferred, or require renegotiation.
Gita said the legal and commercial implications of transitioning existing export commitments into a centralized framework remain unclear.
“In coal contracts, many of us have long-term agreements. The question is what will happen to those contracts, how they will be transferred, and what risks might arise in terms of legal certainty,” she said.
She added that legal clarity will be essential to ensure that the transition does not disrupt export stability or create contractual disputes between producers and buyers.
Another major issue raised by APBI relates to the reporting and data integration system during the transition phase, which is scheduled to begin on 1 June 2026.
Indonesia currently uses the Integrated Mineral and Coal Information System (Simbara), a multi-agency digital platform designed to streamline reporting and regulatory oversight across government institutions.
Under the proposed changes, exporters are expected to continue using existing systems while also submitting export data to PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia during the transitional period.
However, industry participants have questioned whether existing digital reporting frameworks will be duplicated or integrated into the new system.
Gita noted that the coal sector has already adopted a fully integrated reporting system, and it remains unclear whether companies will be required to replicate or reformat existing data submissions.
“In coal, we already use an integrated system. The question is whether we will have to duplicate that data or how it will be managed going forward,” she said.
The government, through the Ministry of Trade, is currently preparing a ministerial regulation that will govern the structure and implementation of the one-door coal export system through a state-owned enterprise designated as the export operator.
According to materials presented during a limited coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the reform will be implemented in stages, beginning with a transition period from 1 June to 31 August 2026, followed by full implementation starting 1 September 2026.
During the transition phase, exporters will still be allowed to use their existing registered exporter status for shipment processes. However, all export transactions will need to be reported to the designated state export entity as part of the gradual shift toward centralized control.
The process begins with the issuance of a Surveyor Report (Laporan Surveyor/LS) through the INSW-Simbara system, verified by authorized inspection agencies. Once the LS is issued, it must be reported to the state export entity, which will oversee documentation and compliance procedures.
Export clearance will continue through standard customs procedures, but the state export entity will be listed in export declaration documents as the official exporter of record, even if operational execution remains partially with private exporters during the transition phase.
From 1 September 2026 onward, the system is expected to enter full implementation.
At that stage, all export procedures will be fully centralized under the state export entity. The process will begin within the Simbara system, managed directly by the designated entity, followed by issuance of exporter licenses through the Inatrade system, verified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Trade.
Once approvals are completed, all export documentation will be transmitted to the state export entity through the integrated INSW-Simbara platform, and full export clearance responsibilities will be handled centrally.
Under the fully implemented system, private exporters will no longer directly manage export documentation, as all coal shipments will be processed, administered, and recorded under the state export entity’s authority.
The government has positioned the reform as part of broader efforts to improve governance, transparency, and coordination in Indonesia’s coal export sector, which remains one of the world’s largest.
However, industry stakeholders continue to seek further clarity on how the system will function in practice, particularly regarding legal certainty, commercial continuity, and operational efficiency.
APBI has indicated that it will continue engaging with government authorities as regulatory details are finalized, with the aim of ensuring that the transition does not disrupt export flows or existing commercial arrangements.
The association stressed that detailed technical guidance will be essential for industry participants to adjust operational systems, contract structures, and reporting mechanisms ahead of the implementation timeline.
As the transition date approaches, coal producers are expected to closely monitor regulatory developments while awaiting formal clarification on key operational and legal aspects of the one-door export framework.
