Pertamina strengthens its fleet

State oil and gas company PT Pertamina has added a crude oil carrier to its fleet it bought from Newtimes Shipbuilding Co,.Ltd in Jinjiang, China for US$52.8 million.

The Gamkonora, an Aframax type of vessel, known for its green design, has a capacity of 85,000 long ton deadweight (LTDW). It will strengthen the company?s crude oil transportation fleet that will support sustainable energy supply.

Gamkonora is the 49th vessel operated by Pertamina. There are a total of 185 ships operating in the country to support energy supply.

The new vessel will leave the Chinese shipyard on Dec. 8 and is expected to start operating at the end of December.

The ship building contract was signed on Dec. 24, 2010 and the ship was supposed to be handed in to Pertamina on Dec. 31, 2012.

Pertamina is in need of a ship which is not only efficient but also friendly to the environment. Under its green ship design, Gamkonora is equipped with ballast water equipment, oil discharge monitoring, fuel oil requirement IMO tier II and internationally recognized certification. The operation of the ship will also help the company save operational costs.

The ship procurement also proves Pertamina?s commitment to the cabotage principle, which requires companies operating in the country to use vessels that carry Indonesian flag. By end of 2015 Pertamina expects to own 61 vessels, with 29 built at home.

Editing by Benget Besalicto Tnb.