Petronas to Start Commercial Bunkering Next Year

Malaysian state-owned Petronas will start first commercial LNG bunkering operation in the country by mid-2019, it said in its Activity Outlook 2019-2021 report published December 11.

“As a major player in the LNG business, Petronas is well-positioned to support the strategic intent for Malaysia to become the regional LNG bunkering hub. Efforts are now being put in place towards advocating LNG as the preferred marine fuel of choice,” Petronas said.

The first commercial LNG bunkering is poised for start-up by 2H 2019 from Sungai Udang and Pengerang regasification terminals, followed by Terengganu and Labuan. Last month, Petronas, undertook the successful completion of its first LNG bunkering operation at its Pengerang LNG regasification terminal.

Petronas said this will encourage migration of local – currently diesel-fuelled – offshore support vessel fleet to LNG. Dual-fuelled LNG-based engines are expected to be the future solution, the company said.