To boost the transportation of commodities, Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) has recently expanded its fleet with the addition of two new giant gas carriers, namely the Pertamina Gas Caspia and Pertamina Gas Dahlia. These vessels bolster PIS’s standing as a leading Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) transporter in Southeast Asia.
The Pertamina Gas Caspia and Pertamina Gas Dahlia are classified as Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC) and are purpose-built to carry LPG and petrochemicals, including propylene and ammonia. They are designated for use along international trade routes.
Yoki Firnandi, the CEO of PIS, shared that the company will utilize the two new VLGCs to primarily transport LPG and petrochemical products such as propylene and ammonia, targeting international trading channels.
He explained that these VLGCs are massive in size, spanning about 300 meters in length—comparable to two soccer fields—and can contain up to 91,000 cubic meters of cargo. These ships were constructed by Hanhwa Ocean, one of the world’s largest shipyards located in South Korea.
“With the introduction of these two VLGC tankers, PIS now stands as one of the largest VLGC owners in Southeast Asia, with a total of seven VLGC vessels,” Yoki stated in an official announcement.
The VLGC Pertamina Gas Caspia and Pertamina Gas Dahlia are among the largest of their kind in the world and come equipped with the latest, environmentally friendly technology.
These new tankers are set to become operational on international routes, with their maiden voyage planned from Houston, USA, at the start of May 2024.
As of now, there are 419 VLGC tankers sailing globally, with ships averaging 10.08 years of age. With the addition of these two new ships, PIS’s fleet of seven VLGC tankers now has an average age of 3.42 years.
PIS already owns a fleet that includes the Pertamina Gas 1, Pertamina Gas 2, Pertamina Gas Amaryllis, Pertamina Gas Tulip, and Pertamina Gas Bergenia.
The Pertamina Gas Caspia and Pertamina Gas Dahlia come with several unique features, such as the highest flexibility for cargo load in its class, allowing for up to 39 combinations, and fully equipped anti-piracy accommodations, ensuring the safety and comfort of the crew. Significantly, the VLGC Pertamina Gas Dahlia is managed by PIS and operated by a crew entirely from Indonesia.
PIS’s total fleet has now grown to 102 vessels, including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), VLGCs, Suezmax, and other sized ships, with 60 of them operating internationally.
