Indonesian authorities have backed down from a blanket ban on coal exports, giving permission for fully loaded bulk carriers to depart.

In addition, the government will decide on Wednesday whether to scrap the export ban entirely, according to a report by Reuters.

The country's coordinating minister of maritime affairs Luhut Pandjaitan — who is often referred to locally as Mr Fixit — said that the vessels that had been given permission to sail could depart as soon as they secured verifications from mining and transport authorities.