Local shippers ‘no’ to proposed double-hull oil tankers
SIBU: Marine Department Malaysia’s proposal that only double-hull oil tankers can carry oil with immediate effect has drawn sharp objection from Sarawak and Sabah Shipowners’ Association.
Its president Ling Soon King said the move would seriously dent the shipping industry and cause hardship to owners of oil tankers, if implemented.
“Ship movement in the Rejang River will come to a halt and the economy disastrously effected if the move is implemented,” he told reporters after a meeting with members of the association here yesterday morning.
Ling said there are about 280 oil tankers in Sarawak and about 99 per cent of them are single-hull tankers to transport oil.
“How can you tell them to convert their tankers to doublehull overnight when much financial resources and logistical works are involved,” he said.
The (Marine) department has already issued notices on the general categories of oil tankers and the restrictions on the types of oil allowed to be carried as cargo on oil tankers to the shipping community in a letter dated Aug 5, 2020.
It is understood that the department’s decision to only allow double-hull oil tankers to carry oil is to prevent leakages.
However, the Sarawak oil tankers owners felt it was not appropriate and unfair to them.
“Single-hull oil tankers have been carrying oil for the past decades and nothing serious has happened. Why the change in policies all of a sudden?” he asked.
Ling said they would not mind following regulations stipulated under the Sarawak Marine Department, which allowed them to carry oil using single-hull oil tankers.
“Since the new regulation came from the Marine Department, let it be applicable to oil tankers in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan. Do not force it on us,” he added.
He also called on the department to state its stand on the issue so that owners of oil tankers in Sarawak can conduct their business with peace of mind.