1st RP-made double-hulled petroleum tanker launched
A local firm launched the other day the first Filipino-made double-hulled petroleum tanker that promises to reduce the risk of oil spills like the one that happened off the waters of Guimaras in August 2006.
According to Herma Shipyard Inc., a wholly Filipino-owned company involved in ship repair and shipbuilding, it was a feat never before achieved by a local shipbuilding company.
Called M/T Matikas, the ship – all of 87.3 meters long, 14 meters wide and a draft of 5.95 meters – sailed out for its maiden voyage last April.
Herminio Esguerra, chairman and chief executive officer of the Herma Group of Companies, said the ship cost $10 million to build and was constructed in 22 months.
Aside from the higher cost of construction, Esguerra said during the launch that its additional hull for both sides of the ship result in 15 percent less payload for the ship.
But according to Esguerra, the higher cost will be offset by the advantages of the double hull ship especially to the environment.
He said the risk of that its cargo would spill during a sea accident would be lessened due to the double hull on both sides of the tanker.
M/T Matikas is chartered by Petron Corp. for the transport of black fuel products from the Petron refinery to their various depots and terminals all over the country.
“More tankers are soon to roll out of the Herma Shipyard in Mariveles,
The company said M/T Matikas conforms to regulations of the International Maritime Organization requiring that all tankers carrying heavy grade oil products to be double hulled by April 2008 to prevent the occurrence and adverse effect of oil spills to the environment.
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