Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : ST. NAZAIRE, FRANCE
Tarikh/Date : 09/07/94
Tajuk/Title : THE LUNCHEON HELD IN CONJUNCTION
WITH THE NAMING CEREMONY OF
PETRONAS TANKERS
I am pleased to be here at the invitation of Chantiers
de L'Atlantique and PETRONAS Tankers for this morning's
naming ceremony for the PETRONAS tankers.
2. Our visit to the shipyard earlier today gave us a first
hand insight into French capability and technology in the
ship- building business, particularly in the field of LNG
tankers. I must say that we are impressed with the
facilities and the capability of the yard.
3. Still, this does not come as a surprise, as we are
already familiar with French technology and capability.
More than a decade ago when Malaysia was planning its first
Liquefied Natural Gas or LNG project, we turned to France to
build five LNG tankers. These tankers are now on charter
from our national shipping line, Malaysian International
Shipping Corporation.
4. It has been just a little more than ten years since
Malaysia made its first shipment of LNG to Japan. In this
period, the French tankers have withstood the test of
time. This has helped in no small measure in upholding
Malaysia's reputation as a reliable supplier of LNG to our
customers. We are proud of our record of more than 1,000
cargoes of unfailing delivery.
5. Built on this record, Malaysia has once again turned to
French shipyards for the construction of another five LNG
tankers. This speaks volumes of our confidence and respect
for French capability and reliability in this specialised
and high- technology LNG tankers construction industry.
6. In the area of shipbuilding, Malaysian shipyards can
learn from the more experienced countries such as France.
Malaysian shipyards are now coming into their own. They are
gradually moving towards the construction of bigger vessels,
incorporating the higher technology contents required for
such vessels. Nevertheless, they still have some way to go
before they are capable of building such sophisticated LNG
carriers such as the ones we have seen today. No doubt our
shipyards in Malaysia would value the experience and
expertise of French ship-builders, especially in the highly
specialised area of LNG tanker construction.
7. I understand that PETRONAS had its own project team on
site through all phases of the construction right up to
commissioning. Working alongside their French counterparts
provided an ideal avenue for technology transfer in the
areas of tanker construction and operation. It is my hope
that our people have learned their lesson well, so that the
knowledge and experience can be passed on to others back
home.
8. Malaysia already has a policy to reduce our dependence
on oil as a main source of energy, turning to natural gas as
an alternative. This policy which has been enforced since
1980, is already showing results. The power generation
sector has been our initial target, and already a number of
our power stations have made the switch to natural gas. We
are also addressing the transportation, industrial and
residential sectors.
9. The development of the LNG trade in the early sixties
has made it possible for natural gas to be transported
across national boundaries over great distances. Given the
new emphasis on sustainable development and cleaner fuels,
the future of the LNG trade is bright.
10. In 1993, global shipments of LNG increased by 2.8 per
cent to 33.7 million tonnes. This figure accounted for
about 24 per cent of the total traded gas volumes. With the
economies of the Asia Pacific region soaring to
unprecedented growth rates, there is a corresponding
increase in demand for energy to fuel the burgeoning
economies. It comes as no surprise therefore that the Asia
Pacific region is the largest consumer of imported LNG, with
trade figures totalling 23.5 million tonnes. This
constitutes nearly 70 per cent of the total LNG trade.
11. This, of course, will have an impact on the tanker
industry. I can anticipate a need for more efficient and
reliable tankers to transport LNG to fuel the energy-hungry
economies.
12. Malaysia currently ranks as the world's third largest
producer of LNG. We are presently also the second largest
supplier of LNG in the region. PETRONAS has also embarked
on the construction of the country's second LNG project at
Bintulu in Sarawak. When completed, this will see a
doubling of Malaysia's LNG production to some 15.8 million
tonnes per annum. This will rank Bintulu as the world's
largest producer of LNG from a single complex.
13. Malaysia is a gas-rich country. We have reserves of
about 80 trillion cubic feet. The recent discovery of rich
gas deposits has opened the possibility of Malaysia
setting up its third LNG plant. This would invariably meant
he need for even more LNG tankers in the not too distant
future.
14. The construction of the tankers in France, has
contributed further towards strengthening the firm
foundation of trade and cooperation which exist between
France and Malaysia. Today's naming ceremony has put in
place another stone in the foundation of economic and social
ties that has been established between France and Malaysia.
What we have witnessed today serves to underscore my
conviction that there is tremendous potential and
opportunities for further cooperation between our two
countries.
15. As you may be aware, the two tankers at today's naming
ceremony were named after precious stones. This is most
appropriate. The tankers incorporate the most modern and
sophisticated technology available in the LNG tanker
industry today. When delivered, they will undoubtedly be
the jewels in Malaysia's fleet of LNG tankers.
16. I would like to take this opportunity to wish PETRONAS
Tankers every success in its new undertaking as owner and
operator of LNG tankers. To Chantiers de L'Atlantique, I
have no doubt they will continue with their good work, and
that the remaining three LNG tankers will be delivered on
schedule.
17. Lastly, I would like to thank all the French and
Malaysian parties involved for inviting me and my wife for
the naming ceremony and for this afternoon's lunch.
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