Oleh/By : DATO SERI DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : PRINCE HALL, NAGASAKI PRINCE HOTEL,
JAPAN
Oleh/By : DATO SERI DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : PRINCE HALL, NAGASAKI PRINCE HOTEL,
JAPAN
Tarikh/Date : 22-05-2002
Tajuk/Title : THE LUNCHEON IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE NAMING CEREMONY OF PUTERI
INTAN SATU
Versi : ENGLISH
Penyampai : PM
I am honoured to be given the opportunity to say a
few words at this luncheon held on the occasion of the
naming of Puteri Intan Satu, the latest LNG tanker
purchased by Malaysia International Shipping
Corporation Berhad (MISC).
2. Today's ceremony to commemorate the naming of
Puteri Intan Satu indeed marks an important milestone
in the growth of MISC's shipping business. MISC,
which is now a subsidiary of PETRONAS, has come a long
way since its delivery of the first shipment of
liquefied natural gas from Bintulu to Tokyo Gas'
Sodegaura Terminal in February 1983. From an initial
fleet of only five vessels under the Tenaga series,
MISC has now expanded its LNG tanker fleet to 13 with
a gross capacity of 1.36 million cubic metres, making
it the single largest LNG fleet owner and operator in
the world. This represents about 10 per cent of the
total world capacity.
3. The coming into service of Puteri Intan Satu,
the first of six additional new LNG tankers ordered
by MISC, will further consolidate the Corporation's
leading position in the global LNG shipping business,
a status which all Malaysians could take pride in.
4. As a country aspiring to a greater role in the
shipping industry in the world, Malaysia needs to have
a substantial indigenous merchant fleet owned and
fully operated by its own nationals, in addition to
efficient port and marine infrastructure, modern
shipbuilding and repair facilities, a sound network of
inland transportation and up-to-date training
facilities for a competent maritime human resource
base.
5. In this regard, I would like to commend MISC
for the successful implementation of its Cadet
Training Programme which has produced a pool of
skilled Malaysian personnel to ensure the smooth,
efficient and safe operation of its ships. I am happy
to note that Puteri Intan Satu will be the first of
the Puteri and Puteri Satu class LNG tankers to be
fully manned by Malaysians. It is my hope that other
Malaysian ship owners and operators will emulate and
build on MISC's efforts in developing the local
capabilities and expertise required by the shipping
industry in Malaysia. MISC will continue to play a
leading role in the development of the national fleet
to meet the goals and aspirations embodied in the
country's vision to become a fully developed nation by
the year 2020.
6. It is gratifying to note that some Malaysian-
made materials have been used in the construction of
Puteri Intan Satu. I understand that a company under
the part supervision of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Ltd has been set up in Malaysia to specially undertake
the production of the vessel's cargo tank insulation
boxes which are a critical and specialised component
of the LNG tanks, using Malaysian plywood. Although
this constitutes a small percentage of the total
content of the tanker, the experience gained from this
project will bring about far reaching benefits for
Malaysia, especially in spurring the development of
local capabilities which will in turn help promote a
higher percentage of Malaysian content in the
remaining Puteri Satu class tankers now being
constructed as well as other vessels in the future.
7. I would like to take this opportunity to
congratulate Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for
successfully securing the contracts for the
construction of three of the Puteri Satu class
vessels. The high quality of workmanship demonstrated
in the construction of the first tanker, Puteri Intan
Satu, reflects the capability of Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries Shipyard and the efficiency of the Japanese
shipbuilding industry, which has come to be widely
recognised and appreciated for its good quality of
work and high standards of construction.
8. I would also like to extend my congratulations
to members of the MISC project team who have worked
closely and diligently with Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries on a job well done. Being involved in the
shipbuilding project from the pre-contract stage right
up to post delivery will no doubt enable MISC to
better manage and operate its vessels in its mission
to provide excellent, world-class service to its
customers worldwide.
9. Finally, I would like to once again thank the
Board of MISC for their kind invitation and for
according me the honour of naming Puteri Intan Satu.
May I also express my sincere gratitude to the
Chairman of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the warm
hospitality extended to us here today.
Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri
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