The Pengerang Independent Terminals, with a draft of up to 24 metres, located at the southeastern tip of Johor, received its very first Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) – the Liberian- registered “MT Mesdar”.
Marking this special occasion, Tan Sri Dr Ngau Boon Keat, Executive Chairman of Dialog Group Berhad and Chairman of Pengerang Independent Terminals Sdn Bhd (PITSB) and Mr Law Say Huat, CEO of PITSB, welcomed Captain Vladimir Krivonosov, Master of “MT Mesdar”, together with his crew to the terminal.
The 333-metre long vessel weighing in 315,802 metric tonnes arrived from the Middle East to discharge its crude oil cargo at the terminal.
“MT Mesdar” is the first VLCC to call at Pengerang and, the first to berth at Malaysian jetty, since the recent commissioning of the crude oil tanks in early March 2015. To date, more than 100 vessels have used the terminal which offers petroleum and crude storage facilities for trading purposes.
“We are extremely proud to welcome “MT Mesdar” to our facility,” said Tan Sri Dr Ngau. “This is an incredible achievement and a historic milestone for us.”
Tan Sri Dr Ngau added that the successful arrival of “MT Mesdar” was also proof that Pengerang DeepwaterTerminal had what it took to become a regional oil and gas hub in this region.
He also expressed his sincere appreciation to the Federal Government, the State of Johor, local authorities and all government agencies for giving their full support to the multi-billion ringgit project which was commercially operational within five years from the date of signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in June, 2009.
Pengerang Deepwater Terminal is a good example of a private-public partnership that has worked well with corporation from the Federal, the State Government and the private sector.
Mr Patrick van der Voort, Division President, Vopak Asia, said, “The safe berthing and unloading of the “MT Mesdar” at our Pengerang Independent Terminals is a significant milestone.
“With Asia being a growing demand area for crude and crude travelling longer distances, we are glad to see our crude storage facility and VLCC berth at Pengerang is of value to our customers,” he added.
Pengerang Independent Terminals is a deepwater terminals development supporting the oil and gas industry in Pengerang on 500 acres of reclaimed seabed land. It is located along major international shipping routes at the southeastern tip of Peninsular Malaysia.
Its strategic location has attracted, and continues to attract many potential and new customers in Pengerang.
As Southeast Asia’s first independent land based storage facility for crude, Pengerang Independent Terminals with a depth of 24 metres is equipped with deepwater facilities, capable of handling VLCCs.
To celebrate today’s milestone, the Master and crew of “MT Mesdar” were treated to a reception, during which Tan Sri Dr Ngau presented Captain Krivonosov Vladimir a commemorative plaque.
Commenting on the voyage to Pengerang Independent Terminals, Captain Vladimir said: “This is a marvellous facility right smack on one of the world’s biggest shipping routes. The facility and standards here are world-class”.
About Pengerang Independent Terminals Sdn Bhd (PITSB)
Pengerang Independent Terminals Sdn Bhd (PITSB) is a joint venture among Malaysian integrated specialist technical services company Dialog Group Berhad, world's leading independent tank storage provider Royal Vopak and State Government of Johor. Located at the southeastern tip of Peninsular Malaysia in the state of Johor, the terminal offers 1.3 million cbm of independent storage for petroleum and crude products.
