PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) strengthens its fleet by adding two Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC), giant gas tanker ships optimized for transporting LPG commodities domestically and internationally.

The two VLGCs are named VLGC Pertamina Gas Tulip and VLGC Pertamina Gas Bergenia. Both are the world’s largest giant gas tanker ships, utilizing the latest environmentally friendly technology.

The twin tankers, each the length of two football fields, were constructed at the Hyundai Samho shipyard in South Korea and were officially launched on Tuesday, January 9. The joint ownership of these two tankers is the outcome of a collaborative effort between PIS and BGN, a leading global energy trading company, which began with the Memorandum of Understanding signing in December 2022.

The launch of the new vessels was inaugurated by the President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), Nicke Widyawati, CEO of BGN Group, Ruya Bayegan, President and CEO of Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, Shin Hyeon Dae, CEO of Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), Yoki Firnandi, and witnessed by Commissioner of Pertamina, Iggi Haruman Achsien and Commissioner of PIS, Lina Santi.

“The presence of these two VLGC ships will undoubtedly enhance the Pertamina Group’s ability to secure energy supplies to support national energy resilience. Similarly, with its latest technology, it serves as evidence that the Pertamina Group is committed to sustainable business,” said the President Director of Pertamina, Nicke Widyawati.

Nicke added that these latest VLGCs have met the requirements for international sailing, allowing them to expand their market presence globally to enhance Indonesia’s reputation.

CEO of PIS, Yoki Firnandi, emphasized PIS’ significant role as the Sub-Holding Integrated Marine Logistics (SH IML) of Pertamina in ensuring the national energy distribution in Indonesia, a country consisting mainly of islands and seas.

Yoki stated that PIS plans to expand its tanker fleet for transporting LPG and other gas commodities. “We plan to add six VLGCs in 2024, starting with two VLGCs early in the year, which will further strengthen PIS’s position in the global LPG transportation business. The environmentally friendly VLGCs purchase follows our mission to become a maritime logistics company supporting green energy businesses,” he said.

The latest VLGCs, according to Nicke, have the advantage of being environmentally friendly, featuring dual-fuel tanks that optimize low-sulfur fuel and gas. These ships can transport gas or LPG and petrochemical commodities such as ammonia.

The cutting-edge technology of VLGC Pertamina Gas Tulip and Pertamina Gas Bergenia is said to increase the ship’s speed with even more efficient fuel usage, up to 16%. Moreover, these ships have incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies in their operations.

Tulip and Bergenia were chosen because those names have special meanings for PIS and BGN, the ship’s ownership partner. The name tulip symbolizes grandeur, while Bergenia represents strength.

With the addition of these ships, PIS’s fleet now totals 97 units, with 61 tanker ships operating internationally. “We are optimistic that this number will continue to grow in the future, in line with the company’s targets,” Yoki said.

Fadjar Djoko Santoso, Vice President of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), stated that these two tankers will further support Pertamina’s performance and business penetration, particularly for PIS. The presence of this fleet will also expand PIS’s market in the energy transportation business.

“These two ships will strengthen Pertamina as an energy company to strengthen energy security and support Green Energy, as well as the ESG aspects promoted by Pertamina,” Fadjar expressed.

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina’s business lines and operations.**