Magsaysay’s new vessel a commitment to safety, environmental protection

RUSHAN CITY, CHINA – Sumilon Island Tankers, Inc. (SITI), a tanker division of the Magsaysay Transport and Logistics Group, recently announced the launch of its new 3,800-deadweight ton double-hull tanker M/T Mactan Island.

Under construction at Rushan City Shipbuilding Co., Ltd of China, M/T Mactan Island is Magsaysay’s first double-hull tanker ordered in accordance with the International Maritime Organization’s Regulation 13 of Annex 1 of the Marpol for tankers carrying persistent oils or heavy grade oils. Marpol is a significant environmental convention established to minimize pollution of the seas.

‘The construction of this new vessel demonstrates our strong commitment to safety and environmental protection in the carriage and transport of petroleum products in the Philippines,’ a Magsaysay official said. To ensure that the highest shipbuilding standards are applied, Magsaysay engaged Hong Kong-based company Fenwick Shipping Services, Ltd. as project managers for the construction. The vessel is classed under Bureau Veritas, and its major machineries are approved according to the standards of the International Association of Classification Societies. She is equipped with the latest navigation and communications equipment.

The tanker has a capacity of about four million liters of black petroleum product, and will be chartered exclusively by Filipinas Shell for the transport of fuel oil products all over the Philippines and, possibly, to neighboring Asian countries, as well. Financed by Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company and insured by Pioneer Insurance & Surety Corporation, the tanker is scheduled to be delivered by June 30.

The tanker launch was led by Magsaysay Group of Companies president and CEO Doris Ho and Hong Kong-based business partner Antony Marden. Special guests included executives from Pilipinas Shell, Metrobank, Pioneer Insurance, Magsaysay Maritime Corp., Fenwick Shipping, Magsaysay Transport & Logistics.

The Chinese delegation was composed of R Gao Ming Yong, president and chairman of Rushan Shipyard, Gao Jiang and Jiang Xue jing; Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute representative Chen-Xiao-min; Agricultural Bank of China officers; Bureau Veritas, and special guests from Rushan City headed by Vice Mayor Ma Ze.