Thelandofpapua.com – PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is accelerating the recovery process of its Common Gas Cleaning (CGC) Plant Smelter by employing air cargo logistics to ensure swift delivery of critical components.

To facilitate this, PTFI has deployed Antonov AN-124 and Boeing 747 cargo planes to transport essential equipment in phases. These shipments arrive in Surabaya before being transported overland to Gresik, East Java.

“We are making every effort to ensure that the recovery process is both effective and efficient so that the smelter can resume operations as soon as possible,” said Tony Wenas, President Director of PTFI, in Jakarta on Tuesday (May 4, 2025).

Air Cargo: A Time-Saving Solution

Wenas highlighted that air transport was chosen for its ability to significantly reduce shipping time. “The air cargo delivery takes only 35 hours, compared to nearly 60 days by sea,” he explained.

Given the urgency of the situation, air transport was deemed the most viable option. Some of the components required re-manufacturing due to damage and needed to be available within a short timeframe.

“Antonov was selected because some critical components, such as Wet Electrostatic Precipitator internals (tube bundles) and metal expansion joints manufactured in Germany, are too large for regular cargo aircraft. Meanwhile, sea transport would take far too long,” Wenas added.

Three-Phase Air Shipment Schedule

PTFI has scheduled three Antonov flights, collectively transporting 75.7 tons of cargo. The first shipment took place on February 6, 2025, followed by the second on February 25, 2025, and the final delivery on March 2, 2025. Each shipment traveled directly from Frankfurt, Germany, to Juanda Airport, Surabaya, with a total flight duration of 35 hours.

Additionally, on November 29, 2024, PTFI utilized a Boeing 747 for its initial delivery, transporting 58 tons of components.

Collaboration with Stakeholders

Wenas acknowledged the strong collaboration among multiple stakeholders that made these expedited deliveries possible.

“We extend our gratitude to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Indonesian Navy and Air Force, the East Java Regional Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Juanda Customs Office, the Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office Type Madya Pabean B Gresik, Special Economic Zone administrators, customs service providers, and Juanda Airport Authority,” he stated.

The accelerated logistics process underscores PTFI’s commitment to restoring its smelter operations promptly, ensuring continued production and efficiency in its refining activities.