The 1st October 2024 was another truly historic and momentous occasion in the midstream integrated gas industry with the official commencement of Brunei Darussalam’s first fleet of locally owned, financed and flagged escort terminal tugs servicing the A Class LNG Tankers at Brunei’s Lumut LNG Terminal.
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha officiated the ceremony as the guest of honour.
In his officiating speech, the minister congratulated the directors, shareholders and management of SPHI Marine Sdn Bhd on the delivery and commencement of its locally owned, flagged and operated escort terminal tugs.
As one of the major contributors to Brunei Darussalam’s export revenues, Brunei LNG has maintained a reputation as one of the safest and most reliable LNG suppliers in the world. Coupled with strong commitment to their valued customers for further sustainability, Brunei LNG continues to improve the delivery performance of its LNG through the operations of their four A Class vessels since 2011.
The minister stated that the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is therefore proud that a locally owned, Brunei company, for the very first time since the commencement of LNG export operations in 1972, has been given the responsibility to continue supporting LNG tanker loading and delivery schedules continuously throughout the year and ensure that this entire process is performed safely and efficiently without incident, for these large LNG tankers.
The ceremony commenced with the recital of Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat by the imam. This was followed by a welcoming speech by the managing director of SPHI Marine Hj Ibrahim Khalili Bin PD Hj Abd. Rahman.
SPHI Marine is a locally owned and managed offshore support vessel company (OSV) providing OSV services to Brunei LNG and Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd.
The three escort terminal tugs are the latest, state of the art 32-metre tugs, designed by world class naval architects with a bollard pull capacity of 80 tons. The first two escort terminal tugs, m/v SOFEA and m/v MAY ROSA were delivered to Brunei LNG on 1st July 2023. The third Terminal Tug, m/v MARYAM was delivered in April 2024.
Haji Ibrahim in his speech stated the milestone not only provides opportunities to SPHI Marine and the local Bruneians working both on the vessels and also onshore in the offices, but also ensures that local business development in this critical industry has continued progressing forward and given an opportunity to gain new knowledge, and ultimately, pride, to all stakeholders especially His Majesty’s Government, knowing that Brunei companies are able to rise to the occasion to the challenges set when given an opportunity.
The officiating ceremony was followed by the cutting of the ceremonial ribbons by Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary; Yang Mulia Mr Gbolahan Adeleye Falade, Managing Director of Brunei LNG; as well as SPHI Marine Technical Director Hj Jameel Ahmed Hj Basheer Ahmed.
Guest of honour with government senior officials, Brunei LNG MD and SPHI Marine directors. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI
This was followed by a tour of one of the two escort terminal tugs by the guest of honour.
Amongst the attendees were senior government officials from His Majesty’s Government, the deputy CEO of Baiduri Bank, senior Brunei LNG stakeholders as well as directors and shareholders of SPHI Marine.
