HUMPUSS BUYS SHIP PRICED US$2.8 MILLION

Jakarta, Jan 29 (ANTARA) - PT Humpuss Intermoda Transportasi Tbk. (HITS) through its subsidiary PT Humpuss Transportasi Kimia (HTK) has bought a ship for transporting chemicals worth US$2.8 million.

Its finance director, Permadi, said here on Friday the new ship measuring 3,500 DWT would later be used to transport methanol from the company's plant in Bontang to various export destination countries.

"We will take the methanol to Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia," he said.

He said the funds for purchasing the vessel came from loans from Bank Bukopin. "Perhaps one more unit will be added later depending on availability of funds," he said.

He said in 2010 the company's capital expenditures are expected to reach US$5 million. With it it is expected another unit will be added hopely in the second semester this year at the latest, he said.

He said he hoped the new ship would help boost the company's performance and in turn would make banks be willing to extend bigger loans.

He said several banks had already given a green light for it such as Bukopin, Muamalat and ICB Bumiputra.