Shell commissions RP’s 1st double-hulled tanker

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (Shell) took the lead yesterday in complying with Malacañang’s mandate to fasttrack the commissioning of double-hulled oil and chemical shipping vessels by 2008.

In simple ceremonies at the Manila South Harbor, Shell country chairman Ed Chua and Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla led the blessing and commissioning of M/T Petro Cara, one of the very first double-hulled vessels in the country.

The $14-million M/T Petro Cara will be Shell’s first chartered double hulled vessel. Shell is expected to charter four more ships over the next two years.

M/T Petro Cara, a newly-built double-hulled oil chemical tanker owned by Filipino firm Transoil Corp., is managed by Translift Ship Management Inc. and chartered by Shell.

"We congratulate Transoil for being a prime mover in complying with the internationally accepted standards for transporting heavy grade oils. The double hull design concept is the globally accepted way of minimizing the risk of oil spills/pollution during collision and grounding accidents of oil tankers," Chua said.

Under an international convention, the deadline for the required use of double-hulled tankers is on 2015.

According to Lotilla, these would help prevent the recurrence of an environmental calamity, such as the oil spill in Guimaras last August. A double hull tanker can withstand rough seas and ensure that no oil or fuel will leak from its cargo in the event that it sinks.

He likewise recognized the effort of the Development Bank of the Philippines for extending loans to the private sector, which will enable the country to meet the early 2008 target, thus promoting the safety of transporting fuel oil products.

DBP chairman Rey David said they are processing a number of loan applications from various shipping companies for a similar purpose.

Chua noted that the archipelagic geography of the Philippines presents a unique operational challenge because of the frequency of water-borne movements of petroleum products.

He said double hulls are significantly safer than single hulls in terms of maintaining the cargo integrity and preventing/minimizing spillage and associated marine pollution in the event of an accident.

"In the case of grounding or collision where the outer hull is penetrated, the damage is likely to be limited to seawater flooding of the double hull, while cargo carrying main areas of the ship remains intact. Thus, the implementation of the double hull regulation in the Philippines is a significant step towards ensuring the protection of the environment," he said.