Magsaysay unit expands capacity

Islas Tankers Shipping Corp., a member of the Magsaysay Transport & Logistics Group, recently acquired a double-hull, 6.35-million liter chemical tanker named M/T Samal Island to ramp up petroleum transport servicing for major client Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.

The Magsaysay unit effectively increases its total petroleum transport capacity to more than 17 million liters, along with current tanker vessel M/T Mactan Island with capacity of 4 million liters and nine other tanker barges with a capacity of 7 million liters.

ITSC has been working with Shell for more than 20 years, with the goal of continuously upgrading and improving the local tanker industry.

“ITSC’s acquisition of M/T Samal Island gives Shell the distinct advantage of using one of the youngest and biggest white tanker vessels in the local industry,” said Edgardo Chua, Pilipinas Shell chairman and president.

“We are likewise very privileged to be able to further service the rigorous requirements of Pilipinas Shell for a highly efficient, reliable and safe nationwide petroleum transport,” said Magsaysay president and CEO Doris Magsaysay Ho.

M/T Samal Island is a double-hull chemical tanker purposely built in Korea in 2005. It has a deadweight of 5,555 and features 10 cargo oil tanks with individual cargo pumps, making the vessel flexible and versatile enough to carry up to five various petroleum product grades at the same time, such as jet fuel, gasoline, diesel and kerosene. The vessel can also perform simultaneous loading and discharging for more efficient operations. With more than 1,000 feet of marathon hoses, the vessel is capable of “Mediterranean mooring” or remote docking operations in difficult or crowded ports.