PGN-ASDP Agree to Operate Dual-Fuel Ship From Merak to Bakauheni
Jakarta. State gas distributor Perusahaan Gas Negara, or PGN, signed a joint study partnership to operate a new dual-fuel ship on the Merak to Bakauheni route — connecting Banten in Java with Lampung in Sumatra — with ferry operator River, Lake and Sea (ASDP) Indonesia Ferry.
Witnessed by PGN president director Jobi Triananda Hasjim and ASDP president director Faik Fahmi, the agreement was signed by PGN business strategy and development director Gigih Prakoso and ASDP technical and operational director La Mane at the PGN headquarters in Jakarta.
The new ship will make the return trip from Merak to Bakauheni on two types of fuel, 70 percent liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 30 percent diesel, to be more effective and environmentally friendly.
"This partnership meets President Joko Widodo's goal to develop our maritime industry. We want to use more natural gas in various sectors, including sea transportation," Jobi said.
The joint study has complied with the presidential regulation on national energy policy and international regulations on ship fuels.
PGN and ASDP hope the feasibility study will expedite a Roll On-Roll Off (Ro-Ro) crossing on the route.
The Ro-Ro service is expected to begin in August 2018.
The two state-owned enterprises had already partnered for a similar feasibility study on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk route — between Java and Bali — in December last year.
The current agreement lasts for 12 months and can be extended.
"PGN continues to promote natural gas as an alternative source of energy to various sectors in Indonesia. We hope the partnership with ASDP will strengthen our maritime sector. Co-operating with other state-owned enterprises means we can maximize our capabilities without having to form a new company, to minimize expenses," Jobi said.
PGN has also formed similar partnerships with other state-owned enterprises, including water supplier Perum Jasa Tirta II, state energy company Pertamina on the Duri-Dumai gas pipe development, "BUMN Hadir Untuk Negeri" program in Lampung and state-owned plantation Perkebunan Nusantara VII.
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