Johor Port, Petronas LNG TO Provide marine services for vessels

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Port Bhd, a member of MMC Group, signed a marine services agreement with Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s unit, Petronas LNG Ltd (PLL), to provide marine services and offer attractive tariff for vessels that receive gassing up and cooling down (GUCD) services at PLL’s Regasification Terminal Pengerang.

In a statement, Johor Port said the GUCD is a specialised service of bringing the storage tanks on liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to a natural environment and cooling it down to cryogenic temperature (minus 160 degrees Celcius).

“The GUCD process is a requirement for LNG vessels to ensure safe loading of the next LNG cargo,” it said.

The collaborative effort between Johor Port and Petronas LNG is hoped to encourage more vessel operators and owners to utilise the service at the Pengerang terminal, capitalising on its strategic location and close proximity to shipyards in Malaysia and Singapore.

Johor Port chief executive officer Shahrull Allam Shah Abdul Halim said the company had well-trained and experienced pilots to handle all types of vessels, and was well-equipped with supporting resources like tug boats, mooring boats and mooring gangs that are at par with other developed ports in the region.

Johor Port is currently operating and managing the Petronas Solid Product Terminal (SPT) in Pengerang which includes the provision of operating equipment, systems and manpower.

The 25-year concession of the SPT operations granted to Johor Port is a clear sign of the oil and gas giant’s recognition and confidence in the port’s capability and commitment.