Jasa Merin Takes Delivery of It's 20th Vessel to Stay Ahead in the Offshore Support Vessel Sector

Jasa Merin (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Jasa Merin) further strengthened its position as one of the nation's largest Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) operators with the delivery of its 20th vessel, an Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel. The RM109 million vessel, MV JM CEKAL, designed and built by Muhibbah Marine Engineering Sdn Bhd (MME), is 72 meters in length, with an engine capacity of 10,800 horsepower, able to achieve a 150 metric ton bollard pull, and is equipped with a Dynamic Positioning 2 (DP2) system.

The official delivery of the vessel was held at the MME shipyard in Telok Gong, Port Klang. During the ceremony, MME Managing Director Mr. Mac Ngan Boon presented the ship model to Jasa Merin’s Dato' Haji Wan Zakaria Abdul Rahman as a symbol of the handover. Earlier, Dato' Haji Wan Zakaria and Mr. Mac signed the Certificate of Acceptance, which was witnessed by Terengganu Menteri Besar YAB Dato' Seri Haji Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman; the State Terengganu Secretary YB Dato' Haji Osman Muda; Silk Holdings Berhad (SHB) Chairman Dato' Mohd Azlan Hashim; and Jasa Merin Vice Executive Chairman Tuan Haji Abdul Rahman Ali.

Jasa Merin, which began operations in 1982, is 70 percent owned by SHB, while Terengganu Incorporated Sdn Bhd (TI), the investment arm of the Terengganu State Government, owns the remaining 30 percent. The company provides OSV services to oil majors, including Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB) and ExxonMobil Exploration Production Malaysia Inc. To date, Jasa Merin owns 18 AHTS vessels and two Straight Supply vessels.

Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Haji Ahmad Razif, in his speech, said, "The Government always monitors the growth of the offshore oil and gas industry, of which the OSV sector is one of its most important industry segments."

"Local OSV operators are facing stiff competition from foreign companies such as those based in Singapore. Malaysia must make efforts to ensure that the local companies and vessels are given priority."

Despite the tough economic situation and the cost-cutting measures adopted by the oil and gas companies, Dato' Seri Ahmad Razif added, "I am confident the local oil and gas support service providers are able to compete successfully with the foreign players. They, including Jasa Merin, are able to compete in terms of both cost and quality."

Earlier, Dato' Haji Wan Zakaria, in his address, said Jasa Merin is not merely increasing the number of vessels in its fleet, but also upgrading its vessels with the latest specifications and technologies available. He added that the industry needs the full support of the Government and the oil and gas companies operating in Malaysia and was pleased that Petronas has shown its commitment in giving priority to the local contractors.

This article was originally published on Marine & Industrial Report newspaper Vol 37  No.5  Issue last October 31,2015.