Regional LNG: Marubeni, PTT start a joint FS for LNG bunkering project in Thailand

By Romel S. Gurky

Marubeni Corporation said on Wednesday that it has started a joint feasibility study (FS) with PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), Thailand`s national petroleum and petrochemical company, which aims at implementing LNG refueling to ships (LNG bunkering) in Laem Chabang Port, the largest industrial port in Thailand.

Marubeni said in a statement that the regulation of exhaust gas will be tightened from 2020, and since LNG is an environmentally friendly fuel, ships that use LNG for fuel (LNG fueled ships) are expected to increase. In Laem Chabang Port, where more than 8,000 ships arrive and leave annually, a third expansion plan is being implemented with the demand for LNG bunkering expected to grow in this area due to increased exports and the tightening of environmental regulations.

This joint study will verify the feasibility of an LNG bunkering project that utilizes a fuel supply ship that is compatible with an existing PTT managed LNG receiving terminal in Map Ta Phut (located in Rayong, approximately 200km southeast of Bangkok). This area is called the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in Thailand, a special economic zone where infrastructure development is being strategically implemented. The Japanese government is expressing its support and contributing to infrastructure development in the area to help bolster Thailand`s industrial development.

?Marubeni will contribute not only to lowering the environmental impact by promoting the conversion of fuel to LNG, but to infrastructure development in the EEC as well,? the company said.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak