PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) is solidifying its position as a top-tier player in ASEAN LPG transport by acquiring two additional Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), named VLGC Pertamina Gas Caspia and VLGC Pertamina Gas Dahlia.
These new vessels are specifically optimized for transporting vital commodities like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petrochemicals, such as propylene and ammonia, intended for international trade routes.
Each of the new tankers measures an impressive 300 meters in length or equivalent to two football fields, with a capacity of 91,000 m3. They were constructed at Hanwha Ocean, a South Korean shipyard.
The two giant tankers were officially launched on May 9, 2024 at Hanwha-Okpo Shipyard in the Geoje City of South Korea, a shipping hub located over 300 kilometers away from the capital Seoul.
Stakeholders witnessing the launch of the two vessels included Secretary of the Indonesian Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Rabin Indrajad Hattari; and Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim of the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, Zelda Wulan Kartika. Representing PIS at the event were Director of Business Planning Eka Suhendra and Director of Fleet Muhammad Irfan Zainul Fikri.
Secretary of the Indonesian Ministry of SOEs, Rabin Indrajad Hattari, welcome the arrival of PIS’s two latest VLGCs, reinforcing its pivotal role in Indonesia’s energy distribution landscape and amplifying Indonesia’s maritime prowess on the global stage.
“These VLGCs signify more than mere vessels; but a testament to international collaboration, technological advancement, and an unwavering commitment to bolstering Indonesia’s energy security. We believe this international collaboration can enhance the capabilities of PIS, as part of Pertamina, in strengthening energy infrastructure,” Hattari said.
“The arrival of these VLGCs signals our unwavering dedication to strengthening Indonesia’s maritime industry. As we expand our fleet with advanced, modern vessels, we create opportunities for our skilled workforce, boost our maritime capabilities, and elevate Indonesia’s standing as a leading regional force in the shipping sector,” he added.
CEO of PIS, Yoki Firnandi, said that the addition of these vessels positions the company as the foremost VLGC fleet owner in Southeast Asia, bolstering the fleet to a total of seven vessels. “As we continue to grow our environmentally-friendly VLGC fleet, we affirm our commitment to supporting the energy transition and fostering sustainable business development.”
These vessels are currently the world’s largest environmentally-friendly giant gas tankers equipped with the latest technology. The vessels were named after flowers: Caspia symbolizes success and memories, while Dahlia represents happiness and respect.
The PIS’s new tankers are prioritized for international routes and scheduled to embark on their inaugural voyage from Houston, United States, in early May 2024.
Currently, there are 419 VLGC tankers sailing around the world, with an average ship age of 10.08 years. With the addition of two new fleets, PIS now has seven VLGC tankers with an average age of 3.42 years.
“The PIS VLGC vessels’ relatively young average age is advantageous, ensuring operational quality, compliance with regulations, utilization of new technology to reduce emissions, and competitiveness,” Yoki said.
Previously, PIS also had several new environmentally-friendly dual-fuel LPG tankers in Indonesia, including Pertamina Gas 1, Pertamina Gas 2, Pertamina Gas Amaryllis, Pertamina Gas Tulip, and Pertamina Gas Bergenia.
Meanwhile, VLGC Pertamina Gas Caspia and VLGC Pertamina Gas Dahlia also have several superior features, such as the highest load flexibility in their class, up to 39 cargo combinations, and full accommodation anti-piracy measures for crew safety and comfort. In fact, the VLGC Pertamina Gas Dahlia is directly managed by PIS and operated by a fully Indonesian crew.
The vessels are equipped with energy-saving devices and shaft generators that increase fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, and they use environmentally-friendly dual-fuel and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to reduce acid rain (NOx) pollution.
With the addition of these vessels, PIS’s fleet now totals 102 units, comprising Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), Suezmax vessels, and other fleets of various sizes, with 60 of them serving international routes.
