ITS Rector, Prof Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng (left frame), and President Director of PT Pertamina International Shipping Erry Widiasto after the HoA signing

ITS Campus, ITS News – There is a changing trend in the global business environment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in the sea transportation service industry segment. Responding to these changes, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) agreed on a Head of Agreement (HoA) with PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) to jointly take on the role of implementing decarbonization in the company’s business operations through the use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Friday (30 /7).

The signing of the HoA marked this synergy by ITS Rector, Prof Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng, and PT PIS President Director Erry Widiasto. This activity was officially witnessed by the Director of Research and Community Service (DRPM) ITS Agus Muhamad Hatta ST MSi PhD, the ranks of the ITS dean, the Director of Business Planning of PT PIS Wisnu M Santoso, and other high-ranking representatives from PT PIS and PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN).

President Director of PT Pertamina International Shipping Erry Widiasto when giving a virtual speech

Erry Widiasto explained that this collaboration is projected to promote zero-emission and green technology vessel investment assets. In line with these objectives and the Memorandum of Understanding No. SP-009/PIS0000/2021-S8 dated April 30, 2021, an assessment and discussion will be carried out to prepare a study on the use of LNG as fuel for PT PIS’ transport ships.

In this HoA, there are three scopes of study that both parties will plan. First, there is a preliminary design plan related to technical and economic analyses of the use of LNG as fuel. Second, map and design infrastructure, supply & demand, and matters related to the use of LNG for sea transportation.

Erry also conveyed the last point that was very important to do, namely the preparation of the adaptability index. The goal is to determine the number of PT PIS fleets that will use alternative fuels by considering market potential, costs, and time targets. “This point is very important to think about and study more deeply because it is related to the main goal, the global business environment,” he explained.

In line with this, the ITS Rector, who is familiarly called Ashari, responded to this policy by expressing his gratitude to PT PIS. They dared to invite ITS again to continue actively contributing to the maritime world in the era of digitalization of industrial technology 4.0. “This synergy is needed to play an important role in the energy transition in Indonesia,” he said proudly.

ITS Rector, Prof Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng, when giving a virtual speech at the HoA signing event between ITS and PT Pertamina International Shipping

This ITS Electrical Engineering professor confirmed that the trend of using gas has penetrated all types of technology that require fuel, including ship technology. One of the efforts made to reduce the sulfur content from ship exhaust emissions is to use LNG as a substitute for fuel oil.

Seeing the excellent relationship that has existed for a long time and the similarities they have in the shipping and maritime fields, Ashari emphasized that the signing of the HoA is an effort to develop more extensive cooperation. “To support changes in the global business environment, especially in the zero-emission and green technology segments,” he said. (HUMAS ITS)

The invitees who arrived virtually to witness the signing of HoA between ITS and PT Pertamina International Shipping

Reporter: Fauzan Fakhrizal Azmi