PT Pertamina will procure 32 oil tankers totaling more than 800,000 dwt for domestic oil shipments, according to a report on Antara News. The company`s president was quoted in the report as saying that the company’s oil transportation fleet is aging and needs refurbishment, and that the company would procure the tankers under the bare boat hire purchase scheme, with the intent to own them after about 10 years.
Though competition to provide the tonnage would be strong, it was indicated that Pertamina would prioritize locally built vessels. The tankers are expected to be ready starting from 2008 to 2012, and will include two 500 dwt
LPG tankers, four 3,500 dwt, three 6,500 dwt tankers, ten 17,500 DWT, ten 30,000 dwt tankers and three Aframax with a capacity above 100,000 dwt. (Source: Antara News)