Indonesia








Energy Markets

Fossil Fuels

Oil & Gas Refining

In the Pertamina case, Indonesia contacts trading firms in Singapore

It was announced on Monday that the Indonesian Attorney General's Office had contacted a number trading firms in Singapore about a corruption probe involving Pertamina. In the first half of this year, a number of Pertamina subsidiaries executives were arrested for alleged corruption in relation to oil imports from 2018 through 2023. This allegedly caused state losses of $12 billion. Pertamina apologized publicly and promised to improve the transparency after the arrests. Harli Siregar, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office said that investigators want to speak with some Singapore trading firms about the case. Siregar stated that earlier attempts...

Fossil Fuels

Indonesia increases CPO export levy by 10% as of May 17,

A regulation signed Wednesday shows that Indonesia will increase its crude palm oil export levy from 7.5% to 10% starting May 17, in order to fund the country's increased mandate for biodiesel blends. Export levies on refined products will range from 4.75% to 9.5% of CPO reference prices, an increase of between 3% and 6 % of current rates. The levies collected are used to finance palm oil programs such as the biodiesel program and a smallholder replanting subvention. Indonesia increased its palm oil-based Biodiesel mix from 35% to 40% this past year. It is now studying moving to 50%...

Coal

Chairman of India's NMDC says that the company is exploring coal assets in Indonesia and Australia.

Amitava Mukherjee, chairman of the Indian miner NMDC, said that it is looking for coking coal assets in Indonesia and Australia. Coking coal is a key ingredient used to make iron ore and styrene. India, which is the second largest producer of crude iron and steel in the world, imports 85% of coking coal. More than half of Australia's coking-coal imports are accounted for by the country. Mukherjee stated that the company views this as an opportunity for business. The negotiations (for explorations) are at different stages. Due to confidentiality, he did not reveal the specifics of these discussions. NMDC,...

Oil & Gas Exploration

CERAWEEK-Freeport-McMoRan hopes Trump declares copper a critical mineral

Freeport-McMoRan CEO Kathleen Quirk expressed her hope that U.S. president Donald Trump will declare copper to be a critical metal. This would allow tax credits for the American production of red metal, and help offset its global competitors, she said. Trump said to the U.S. Congress that he would take "historic action" to expand production of vital minerals, but he has not yet provided details. Copper is widely used in the global economy for power generation, electronic devices and construction. The U.S. Geological Survey identifies lithium, nickel and other minerals as essential. Quirk said that adding copper to Freeport's portfolio...

Fossil Fuels

Indonesia plans to use the sovereign wealth fund to boost coal-gasification projects

Energy Minister Danantara Indonesia said that Indonesia is looking to increase coal gasification through its newly established sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia. Indonesia, which is the world's largest thermal coal producer has been trying to process low-ranking coal into dimethyl ether in order to reduce LPG imports. However, previous projects have failed due to investors pulling out. Energy Minister Bahlil stated late Tuesday that the government will provide the capital investment, and the local investors will cover the rest. "Danantara will be one of them." Bahlil stated that four coal gasification project will be implemented in South Sumatra, East Kalimantan...

Oil & Gas

The core profit of Vallourec drops due to lower tube prices in North America

France's Vallourec announced a 24% decline in its core profit for the fourth quarter on Thursday. It cited lower average selling prices for its steel tubes, its primary market, in North America. Vallourec makes tubings for oil and gas markets, low-carbon energies and industrial markets. Its operating earnings before interest taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), fell to 214 millions euros ($224) in the fourth quarter of 2024. This was due to a 27% decline in North American tubes. In the fourth quarter, around 92% (globally) of Vallourec’s total revenues came from the tubes business. In a conference call with journalists,...

Fossil Fuels

From March 1, Indonesia will use its benchmark coal prices for transactions

A senior official from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry announced on Wednesday that Indonesia will begin using the benchmark coal price set by the government as the price floor for all transactions next month. Indonesia uses the HBA (government benchmark price) to calculate coal mining royalty fees. Energy Minister Bahlil lahadalia announced earlier this month that the government will require coal companies to utilize the HBA for global transactions. The government is seeking to gain more control over coal prices in the country. In a message sent via text, ministry official Tri Winarno stated that the policy would be...

Fossil Fuels

Anglo American sells nickel business up to $500 Million

Anglo American announced on Tuesday that it would sell its nickel mining business to an MMG Ltd unit listed in Hong Kong for up to $500m. A broader restructuring is underway to focus its operations on iron ore and copper. Nickel business in Brazil includes two ferronickel projects and two greenfields. Anglo will receive $350 million upon completion, up $100 million as a price-linked gainout, and an additional $50 million for potential project development, according to a company statement. Together, the assets produce around 38,000 metric tonnes of nickel each year. In January, the metal's price fell to a record...

Fossil Fuels

Indonesian president: New export measures will add $80 billion to foreign exchange reserves

The Indonesian president Prabowo Subito signed a regulation on Monday requiring that exporters of non-oil and gas resources hold their proceeds in Indonesia for at least one year. He said this would add an additional $80 billion to Indonesia's foreign exchange reserves. Prabowo said in a press conference televised that Indonesia's natural resources should benefit the nation and its people through development funding and money flowing domestically. He also emphasized the importance of increasing foreign exchange reserves, and stabilizing the exchange rate. President said that the new measure would take effect on March 1. Since 2023, Indonesia requires all resource...

Fossil Fuels

UAE Non-oil Foreign Trade to Reach $817 Billion by 2024, PM Says

In a Wednesday post on X, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stated that the United Arab Emirates non-oil goods trade will reach a record of 3 trillion dirhams (816.86 million dollars) by 2024. Post on X reported that the non-oil exports of the Gulf State increased by 14.6% from the year before. The UAE is considered the tourism and business center of the Gulf Region. It has made significant investments in infrastructure and policy to support long-term growth. Since 2021 it has initiated a number of bilateral trade agreements, investments and cooperation deals, called Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements. It...

Fossil Fuels

China's BYD to finish $1 billion Indonesia plant by year-end, executive states

China's leading electric vehicle maker BYD intends to finish its $1 billion plant in Indonesia at the end of 2025, the head of its local unit said on Monday, highlighting the firm's ambition to dominate in the market where Japanese car manufacturers are popular. The long-lasting plan for the plant is for the export market, stated Eagle Zhao, BYD's president director in Indonesia. Every development of our regional production is rather smooth and likewise on the track. We will keep our commitment, which is by end-2025, we will complete the construction works, Zhao stated in a joint interview with Reuters...

Environment

China tortures and turns on seaborne coal market: Russell

China imported a record amount of coal in 2024, driving world imports of the fuel to an alltime high. So why are coal exporters beginning 2025 in a deep blue funk? For coal exporters, China is both their saviour and tormentor, as the record import volumes are only possible due to the fact that seaborne prices have dropped to multi-year lows. Rates for export coal have declined in order to stay competitive with China's domestic prices, with the world's. biggest producer and importer of coal driving what takes place in. international coal markets. China's coal imports increased to an all-time...

Mining

Mining

Six dead, 14 missing after landslide at Indonesian Papua gold mine

Officials said that torrential rains on Monday forced a halt to the search for Indonesia's 14 missing people in its easternmost region, Papua. A landslide at a gold-mining site killed six workers and injured four others. Abdul Muhari said that the rains were responsible for the landslide on Friday, which struck a small mine operated by residents in the Arfak Mountains of West Papua Province. The authorities will resume their search on Tuesday for the missing following the disaster that engulfed temporary housing used by miners. Yefri Sabarruddin, leader of a 40-person team, which included police and military officers, and...

Mining

Conférence delegates claim that China has plenty of cobalt, despite the Congo ban

The Chinese cobalt industry has ample supplies of battery-making materials despite an export ban placed by the top producer in the world, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), late in February. This was revealed this week at a conference for the industry. Shirley Wang, General Manager at Shanghai Metals Market and Cobalt Congress 2020 in Singapore, said that downstream users in China - the largest consumer of the metal - have intermediate product stocks that will last for between two weeks to six months. Wang stated on Thursday that "large-scale users" in China have six months' worth of stock, while...

Mining

Indonesian cobalt production will double by 2027. No plans to "control" supply

A senior official announced on Wednesday that Indonesia would double its cobalt production by 2027 compared to last year. He added that the country, the second-largest producer in the world, has no intention of "controlling" the supply of this key component for electric batteries. Septian Hario Seto said that Indonesian cobalt production will increase to 114,630 metric tonnes per year in 2027 from the 55,630 tons produced in 2024. Indonesia is the second largest cobalt producer in the world after the Democratic Republic of Congo, which produces 70% of the global supply. The DRC announced earlier on Wednesday that it...

Mineral Resources

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

Short covering and Indian buying of palms is limiting the decline in prices.

Malaysian palm futures fell Thursday, reaching their lowest level since September. However, strong Indian buying and short-covering helped to erase some of the early losses. By midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange for July delivery had fallen 1 ringgit or 0.03% to 3,727 Ringgit ($874.27) per metric ton. Anilkumar bagani, the research head at Mumbai-based Sunvin Group and a vegetable oil broker, said that "the futures opened lower than expected but quickly gained some ground on the back of Indian purchasing and short covering following a significant drop in recent months." He added that India...

Renewable Energy

Palm oil records weekly loss due to firmer Ringgit and weak demand

Malaysian palm futures have reversed their gains from earlier in the week, due to a stronger ringgit, and weak demand on key markets. Prices also fell for the entire week. The benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in July on Bursa Derivatives Malaysia Exchange dropped 0.79% at the close to 3,880 Ringgit ($911.23) per metric ton. The contract dropped 4.36% in the last week. Anilkumar bagani, head of commodity research at Mumbai-based Sunvin Group, explained that a stronger ringgit, and a lack of enthusiasm in the face of expectations of an increased inventory of palm oil in Malaysia for April,...

Renewable Energy

Palm oil prices fall on the back of increased production and stock levels

Malaysian palm futures declined for the third consecutive session on Wednesday, as concerns about higher production and stock levels continued to weigh heavily on market sentiment. At midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange had fallen by 24 ringgit (0.61%) to $3,919 ringgit (908.86 dollars) per metric ton. David Ng is a proprietary trader with Kuala Lumpur's Iceberg X Sdn Bhd. He said that the weakness in the market was mainly caused by concerns about production and an expectation of higher stock levels over the next few weeks. Palm oil stocks are likely to have risen...

Renewable Energy

Palm oil prices end lower than Chicago soyoil amid concerns about economic headwind

Malaysian palm futures closed lower on Monday as they tracked the weakness of rival soyoil on the Chicago market. Meanwhile, escalating U.S. - China trade tensions despite a suspension of tariffs for other countries also weighed down sentiment. At the close, the benchmark June palm-oil contract traded on the Bursa Derivatives Exchange in Malaysia lost 42 ringgit or 1% to 4,170 Ringgit ($945.58) per metric ton. Darren Lim is a commodities analyst at Singapore-based Phillip Nova. He said that despite the U.S. tariff suspension of 90 days, the broader economic headwinds, and lingering uncertainty, have continued to limit any meaningful...

Renewable Energy

VEGOILS - Dalian oils and Malaysian palm oils have seen a strong week of gains on the back of a strong physical demand.

The price of Malaysian palm oils rose for the third session in a row on Friday. This was due to strong demand before Eid al-Fitr, an Islamic holiday. Also, rival vegetable oil prices were strong. The benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in June on the Bursa Derivatives exchange gained 108 Ringgit or 2.5% to $4420 ringgit (US$996.62) per metric ton. The contract rose 1.03% in the last week, marking its first weekly increase in three. A Kuala Lumpur based trader stated that "Today crude palm oil future prices are up due to strong physical demand because of the holiday...

Renewable Energy

Palmetto prices rise after three sessions of bargain-buying losses

After three sessions of losses in a row, Malaysian palm oils futures rose on Wednesday. This was due to bargain-hunting after the contract reached a two-month low. By midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange rose by 0.75% to $4277 per metric ton ($966.34). This week, the contract has fallen by 2.97%. When prices reached the lowest point of the day, they were too cheap to ignore. "We saw a great deal of bargain-hunting today. A lot of buyers came out and there was a (short)covering as well," said Paramalingam Supramaniam of Selangor brokerage Pelindung Bestari....

Renewable Energy

Malaysian palm oil drops, rivals follow suit

The price of palm oil in Malaysia fell for the third time on Tuesday, to its lowest close in almost two months. This was due to lower prices for rival vegetable oils at Dalian and Chicago and weaker export data. The benchmark June palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange lost 58 Ringgit or 1.35% to close at 4,247 Ringgit per metric ton, its lowest price since January 27. Anilkumar bagani, head of commodity research at Mumbai-based Sunvin Group vegetable oils brokerage, said: "The sentiments in palm oil are bearish right now because it has been forced by the...

Renewable Energy

Palm oil falls due to rival oil's weakness; soft ringgit caps losses

Malaysian palm oils futures fell for the second session in a row on Monday, to their lowest levels in almost two months. Pressured by weakness in vegetable oils rivals, a weaker currency helped limit losses. The benchmark June palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange fell 1.6% at the closing to 4,305 Ringgit ($971.78) per metric ton, its lowest price since January 31. The contract follows weak external markets, but the ringgit’s weakness cushioned certain losses," said Kuala Lumpur based trader. Dalian's palm oil contract, which is the most active contract, fell 1.1% while soyoil prices dropped by 1.02%. The...

Renewable Energy

Palm prices rise on Dalian's stronger Dalian and Indonesia's increased levy

Malaysian palm oils continued to rise on Wednesday. This was due to the stronger edible oils on the Dalian market, and Indonesia's decision of raising its palm oil export tax. By midday, the benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in June on the Bursa Derivatives exchange had gained 50 ringgit or 1.15% to $4,416 ringgit (US$996.84). The futures trading resumed on a bullish tone mainly because Indonesia reaffirmed an increase in export levies for palm oil. Prices also gained strength after the bullish momentum of Dalian vegetable oils futures," Anilkumar Bagani said, head researcher at Sunvin Group. A plantation fund...

Renewable Energy

Palm firms worried about low production but demand is weak.

Malaysian palm futures rose on Thursday, supported by lower production levels but capped by persistent concerns about demand from key import countries. At the close, the benchmark May palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange rose 52 ringgit or 1.16% to 4,533 Ringgit ($1,022.10) per metric ton. The contract fell by 2.98% over the last three sessions. The palm oil market is resilient, despite the recent sell-offs due to uncertainty in global markets over tariffs. Production hasn't picked up since March and demand remains a concern, said Paramalingam Supramaniam of Selangor brokerage Pelindung Bestari. "Even if the production picks up...

Renewable Energy

VEGOILS - Palm tracks Chicago soyoil; inventory data is awaited

Malaysian palm futures rose Wednesday, ending two sessions of losses. The market was awaiting the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)'s data. The benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in May on the Bursa Derivatives Exchange gained 69 ringgit or 1.59% to close at $4,418 ringgit (US$997.97) per metric ton. A Kuala Lumpur trader stated that "the futures will attempt to recover some yesterday's loss before resuming their direction, while waiting for the MPOB data next Monday." On March 10, the MPOB will release its monthly statistics. The Chicago Board of Trade's (CBOT) soyoil price rose by 0.77%. Dalian's palm oil...

Renewable Energy

VEGOILS-Palm settles higher despite weak soyoil, export data

Malaysian palm futures recovered from the session's early losses and settled higher on Monday. However, weakness in soyoil pricing and lower estimates of palm oil exports for the first two week of February limited gains. The benchmark May palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange rose 40 ringgit or 0.89% to close at 1,024.14 ringgit per metric ton. The contract increased by 0.83% Friday. Anilkumar bagani, head of commodity research at Mumbai's Sunvin Group, explained that crude palm oil futures fell during the midday session due to a weakness in the soyoil market and a lower performance by Malaysian palm...