PETRONAS completes LNG break bulking STS transfer

The operation was recently carried out in Brunei Bay, and saw the fully loaded Seri Bijaksana vessel carrying an LNG cargo from Gladstone LNG in Australia, transferring two smaller parcels onto two ‘daughter’ vessels for onward deliveries to different LNG terminals in Shanghai, China.

According to the statement, the first cargo was transferred from the ‘mother’ vessel to an 80 000 m³ ‘daughter’ vessel, Arctic Spirit. The second cargo transfer, meanwhile, was carried out with another similar size ‘daughter’ vessel, Polar Spirit.

PETRONAS Vice President LNG Marketing & Trading, Ahmad Adly Alias, said: “The second STS operation by PETRONAS demonstrates the company’s ability to respond to the changing landscape of LNG delivery and customers’ demand for customised solutions, at the same time supporting the growth of the LNG market in areas with limited operational parameters.”

PETRONAS claims that the transfers were completed in around 72 hours, manifesting a just-in-time principle, driving the operational cost to the minimum level.

According to the statement, the success of the STS transfer was the result of a collaborative effort with a number of stakeholders, namely the Department of Ports and Harbour of Sabah, Sabah Ports Authority, Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd, Argo Engineering Sdn Bhd, Eastport Marine Sdn Bhd, MISC Bhd, Asian Supply Base Sdn Bhd, Teekay LNG Partners L.P., and Shenergy Group Co. Ltd.

PETRONAS completed its first STS transfer in June 2018 at the same location in Brunei Bay. This location is ideal for such operations due to its calm waters.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/07052019/petronas-completes-lng-break-bulking-sts-transfer/