Minister bans transshipment of Indonesian energy exports

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia announced Monday a ban on transshipping Indonesian natural resource exports through third countries, requiring direct transit to destination markets.

Speaking at the 2026 Mineral and Coal Convention and Exhibition in Jakarta, Lahadalia instructed regulatory officials to halt indirect routing for mining products and energy commodities, including liquefied natural gas (LNG).

"There must be no more shipments of our natural resources that transit through specific countries," said Lahadalia, who also serves as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. "I will not allow it."

Under the directive, raw materials and energy exports—such as shipments of LNG or minerals bound for China, Japan, or South Korea—must be transported directly from Indonesian ports to the destination country without passing through intermediary nations.

The announcement follows a government decision to reduce pipeline natural gas supplies to Singapore by 31 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) to prioritize domestic demand.

Indonesia currently supplies approximately 409.5 MMSCFD of pipeline gas to Singapore from fields in Sumatra and the Natuna Sea, along with 148 LNG cargoes.

Lahadalia indicated that a portion of the LNG delivered to Singapore is being re-exported to third countries rather than consumed locally, asserting that national resource sovereignty remains non-negotiable.

Officials confirmed the supply reduction remains within minimum contractual commitments.

Translator: Putu Indah Savitri, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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