New tanker joins Herma fleet

MANILA, Philippines - The Herma Group of Companies vowed its continued to support the growing requirements of the Philippine economy for petroleum products with the addition of a new petroleum tanker to its fleet, its chief said.

Herminio Esguerra, chair and chief executive officer of the Herma Group, made this commitment at the turnover ceremony held in Makati, August 27, of Motor Tanker Matapat (M/TkrMatapat), the newest internationally classed petroleum tanker to join the Herma fleet.

“This is our response to nation building. M/TkrMatapat is a tangible manifestation of the ‘Kaya Natin’ spirit of the Filipino. ‘Matapat’ is a Filipino word that means true, sincere, and faithful. These traits characterized our ship builders all throughout the making of this ship,” Esguerra said.

M/TkrMatapat was built by Herma Shipyard, Inc. for sister company Herma Shipping and Transport Corp., a business unit of the Herma Group that provides petroleum transport services to the oil industry. It is the 16th petroleum tanker locally built for the Herma Group fleet and is specifically designed for the unique conditions of Philippine waters. It is certified by the American Bureau of Shipping as an internationally classed A1 oil carrier. Over 1,000 shipbuilding experts in 25 areas of expertise were involved in M/TkrMatapat which is 86.1 meters long, 13.72 meters in breadth and 5.000 meters deep.  It took 570,000 manhoursto build the Herma Group’s newest petroleum tanker.

“MTKrMatapatis more than just a ship. She is a symbol of hope for Filipinos not to seek work abroad, for families to stay united. And for the Filipino ingenuity to shine,” Esguerra said.

Esguerra is optimistic that the future of Philippine shipbuilding is bright.  “The Asean integration is the next big challenge for all Filipinos. The Herma group looks forward to taking advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead,” he noted.

“We believe that when we build ships, we help build and connect a nation.  For us at Herma, this is what inclusive growth is all about.  It is about giving Filipino shipyard workers a clear choice for employment right in their homeland, a way to earn a living while enjoying the warmth of family and home.  It is about sharing the socio-economic benefits of shipbuilding with our key stakeholders,” Esguerra added.

The Herma Group started with one barge in 1985 and has grown over the past 29 years to a diverse group that is into petroleum transport services, bunkering and logistics, shipbuilding and repair, waste management, and shared services.