KUALA LUMPUR: Straits Energy Resources Bhd's (SER) unit, Victoria STS (Labuan) Sdn Bhd (VSSB), has recently completed the first ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the Labuan Port Limit in Labuan.
This is the first LNG STS transfer to take place in Labuan.
VSSB chief executive officer Benjamin Bernard Bijion said the company completed the STS operation on 13 October without any reported injuries to personnel or impact on the environment.
"Various scenarios were considered, and this was achieved through the collective and collaborative efforts of all parties involved in the operation, with the cooperation and support of Victoria's customers," he said in a statement.
Present during the STS operation was Labuan Corporation chief executive officer Rithuan Ismail, Labuan Fire and Rescue Department Director Ismaidi Ismail, Labuan Customs officials and Labuan Chamber of Commerce vice-chairman SK Tan, among others.
Rithuan Ismail said oil and gas (O&G) is not a new activity in Labuan, but there is a need to diversify the related activities.
"We, from the Labuan Corporation, fully support the STS operation as we believe it will have a spillover effect on the economy of Labuan.
"The last two to three years have been a struggle, and we see this as a catalyst in flourishing the local economy, such as crew hiring, service sector, boat/ship/vessel leasing, supply of raw materials, and purchase of small equipment and needed supplies from the island," he said.
VSSB specialises in the offshore handling of liquefied gas and bulk petroleum cargoes.
In July last year, the company received its first licence to conduct STS operations of oil and liquefied gas products within the Victoria Port Limit.
Victoria Bay is strategically located along international shipping and energy trade routes.
SER's vision is to develop Labuan as one of the largest transhipment hubs in Asia.
The STS hub is also strategically located within the vicinity of Labuan Liberty Port which is managed and operated by Megah Port Management Sdn Bhd (MPM), a 51 per cent owned subsidiary of SER.