Pertamina to buy new tankers

State oil and gas company Pertamina will spend at least US$ 200 million within the next two years to buy 13 new tankers to reinforce its aging fleet.

?We plan to buy two Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) to transport crude from Middle East to Cilacap refinery in Central Java, eight middle sized tankers and three light tankers for domestic crude and fuel transportation,? Muchsin Bahar, Pertamina?s downstream director told Petromindo.Com on a sideline of a parliamentary hearing Thursday.

Muchsin said Pertamina had held talks with Japan, Korea, China and domestic shipyards to procure the tankers.

?The VLCC would likely be ordered from Japan or Korean shipyard. Our team had been deployed to survey various shipyards,? he said.

Muchsin said now is the best time to order for the tankers, as the price is relatively cheap.

He said the tankers would be used to increase Pertamina?s efficiency in transporting crude and fuel. (alex)