"The company's presence in Jakarta expands our ability to serve India, China and other key Asian markets,” Peabody chairman and chief executive Gregory Boyce said Thursday.

“The Pacific markets are driving global demand for coal and are expected to achieve five to 10 per cent compound annual growth over the next five or more years."

Leading the Jakarta office will be Reynard Hanoppo. New to Peabody, he most recently worked for more than a decade managing sales for the country’s third-largest coal producer, PT Kideco Jaya Agung.

A graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Hanoppo will report to Asian Training managing director Phillip Smith, who heads Peabody’s Singapore office.

Peabody said that India, the fastest-growing importer of coal in the world, could have a shortfall of as much as 200 million tonnes in the next half-decade. China, meanwhile, is the largest consumer of coal and while it is also a major producer, has imported an unprecedented level of coal this year.

Peabody opened its Singapore office in September to serve as the new hub for its Coaltrade International activities in Southeast Asia, a move it said would further expand its access to seaborne coal markets.

"Our presence in Singapore will expand our sourcing and shipping capabilities to China, India, Indonesia and other key Asian markets,” Boyce noted last month.

“The expectation is that these markets will continue to expand at a five to 10 per cent compound annual growth rate, and Peabody is best positioned to capitalise on that growth."

Peabody currently has 330 customers in 21 nations.