Muhibbah Marine & Jasa Merin Signs Certificate of Handing Over

9th September 2015 marked the handing over of the 24th vessel from Muhibbah Marine Engineering Sdn Bhd (MME) to its long-time business partner, Jasa Merin (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (JM) at its yard in Port Klang, Malaysia. As in previous vessels built by MME, "MV JM CEKAL" is no exception; the 72.8m Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel (AHTS) was delivered 90 days ahead of the contractual schedule.

Mr. Mac Ngan Boon, Managing Director of MME, and YB Dato' Haji Wan Zakaria Abdul Rahman, Chairman of Jasa Merin, signed the Certificate of Handing Over, witnessed by Guest-of-Honour, Menteri Besar of Terengganu, YAB Dato' Seri Haji Ahmad Razif Bin Abdul Rahman; YB Dato' Haji Mohammed Azlan Bin Hashim, Executive Chairman of Silk Holding Berhad; Terengganu State Secretary and Director of JM YB Dato' Haji Osman Bin Muda; and Tuan Haji Abdul Rahman Bin Ali, Executive Vice Chairman of JM.

Menteri Besar of Terengganu, YAB Dato' Seri Haji Ahmad Razif Bin Abdul Rahman addressed that, "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."

Dato' Seri Ahmad Razif added, "Despite the tough economic situation and the cost-cutting measures adopted by the oil and gas companies, 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."

"MV JM CEKAL" was designed to the highest standard of safety in accordance with Bureau Veritas "I + HULL + MACH" Supply Vessel - FiFi Class 1, Special Service - Anchor Handling / Offshore Support Unrestricted Navigation, DYNAPOS AM/ATR.

The propulsion package consists of two main engines, coupled to Reintjes LAF 4575 Marine Reduction Gearboxes and propelled by 2 x CPPs twin screw AHSV type BCP 950. The vessel is capable of 158-ton bollard pull and has a complement of 50 crew and passengers.

YB Dato' Haji Wan Zakaria Abdul Rahman, Chairman of Jasa Merin, 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."

Mr. Mac Ngan Boon, Managing Director of MME, commended that, "The seamless close cooperation between Jasa Merin and Muhibbah has been crucial between us. We keep improving the design and usability with dialogue and feedback from Jasa Merin."

"This vessel is one that is being built to meet the latest regulatory and oil major requirements and will remain capable of coping with the new demands of the Oil & Gas industry."

"The relationship between Jasa Merin and Muhibbah is one that brings mutual benefits. Such a partnership embraces the serious commitment between Jasa Merin and Muhibbah Marine working on the concept of - BUILD IN MALAYSIA, BY MALAYSIANS FOR MALAYSIANS TO OPERATE IN MALAYSIA."

Jasa Merin is a provider of offshore support vessels on long-term and short-term time charter to oil and gas majors such as PETRONAS Carigali, ExxonMobil, Shell, Lundin, Talisman, Petrofac, Carigali Hess, HESS, Vestigo, Conoco Philips, TOTAL, CPOC, and Murphy. JM also supports offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities by providing OSVs to the oil majors.

Formed in 1996, MME, a wholly-owned unit of Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd, operates as a shipyard in Port Klang, Malaysia. The yard is strategically located between Pulau Indah (West Port) and South Port. The yard has a deep-water front with a water depth of 18 meters. The 102m long drydock is able to dock vessels up to 5000 dwt, and the slipway has a capacity of up to 1000 mt. Since its inception, MME has successfully constructed and delivered more than 150 vessels to both local and overseas clients.

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