Malaysia’s Petronas completes its 1st LNG break bulking STS transfer

Petronas LNG, a unit of Malaysian energy giant Petronas, has delivered its first liquefied natural gas cargo through its maiden break bulking ship-to-ship (STS) transfer in Brunei Bay.

This is part of the company’s latest offering as a global LNG portfolio solutions provider, Petronas said in a statement on Wednesday.

The cargo from Malaysia LNG (MLNG), Bintulu was transferred from the ‘mother’ vessel, Seri Bijaksana to the ‘daughter’ vessel, Lucia Ambition, where the cargo from Lucia Ambition and remaining cargo in Seri Bijaksana will subsequently be delivered to respective buyers.

The STS strengthens Petronas’ diversified LNG supply portfolio, including from its main supply based at the Petronas LNG Complex in Bintulu, Sarawak, which has had no missed deliveries since 1983, the statement said.

Petronas Vice President of LNG Marketing & Trading, Ahmad Adly Alias said: “As the LNG market becomes more liquid and with the emergence of new markets and non-traditional buyers who face operational constraints at their terminals, Petronas is committed to supporting the growth of these markets through providing innovative and flexible operational solutions such as LNG break bulk services via STS.”

Adly added that today’s Asian buyers prefer to grow their LNG business gradually, by importing smaller parcels of LNG, moving away from the traditional mode of long-term supplies over a specific term.

The completion of the STS was a collaborative effort with various stakeholders namely Ports and Harbour Department Sabah, Sabah Port Authority, Argo Engineering, Eastport Marine, MISC and Farenco Shipping.