Maheshkhali:The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase approved a contract to Indonesia's PT Pertamina Trans Kontinental to operate and maintain the Single Point Mooring (SPM) facility in Maheshkhali, Cox's Bazar, valued at Tk 1,946.22 crore.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the contract involves managing both offshore and onshore facilities, marine services, and related equipment at the SPM. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) had initiated an international tender for this purpose.
The tender included the SPM facilities at Kutubdia-Maheshkhali and the pipeline systems extending to Anwara-North Patenga in Chattogram. The service period for the complete installation is 64 months.
The SPM allows large vessels carrying crude oil and refined products to unload directly via a floating offshore mooring system. Tankers can moor in the Bay of Bengal and transfer crude oil and diesel through submarine pipelines to storage at Maheshkhali.
The project, completed in March 2024, was designed to speed up unloading times and reduce costs compared to using smaller lighterage vessels due to draft restrictions at Karnaphuli River.
PT Pertamina Trans Kontinental was selected as they were the lowest financial bidder and technically qualified. Their involvement is anticipated to facilitate the regular operation of the SPM, enhancing BPC's capacity for direct unloading and transportation of petroleum products.