Pertamina Implements STS Facility in Kolonodale to Accelerate B50 Distribution

Palu (ANTARA) - Pertamina Patra Niaga has begun operating a Ship to Ship (STS) energy transfer facility in Kolonodale, Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi, to accelerate the distribution of Biosolar B50 fuel. “This step is an effort to strengthen the energy logistics system in the Sulawesi region to make it more optimal,” said Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sulawesi Area Manager for Communication, Relations, & CSR, Lilik Hardiyanto, in a written statement received in Palu on Friday. He explained that the energy transfer system from a large mother ship to a smaller vessel allows it to dock at ports or terminals with shallow shipping lanes. It also accelerates energy supply to remote areas or eastern regions of Indonesia, such as the latest operations at STS Kolonodale. “The adoption of this method is also part of energy logistics efficiency before distribution to fuel users,” he said. He detailed that the inaugural STS operation began with the berthing of the mother ship MT Marlin 88, with a capacity of 35,000 DWT, followed by the first supply on 18 July 2026 using MT Overseas Petromar, which transported 15,000 kilolitres (KL) of Fame and 15,000 KL of diesel each. “The operational series then continued with distribution via the shuttle ship MT Jasmin XXXVII on 22 July,” he stated. He explained that in the initial phase, 3,100 KL of Biosolar B50 was distributed to meet the needs of the Kolonodale Fuel Terminal (FT), Moutong FT, and Poso FT in Central Sulawesi. Going forward, STS Kolonodale is being prepared to become a distribution node serving Kolonodale FT, Poso FT, Moutong FT, Luwuk FT, Banggai FT, Gorontalo Integrated Terminal (IT) in Gorontalo Province, Kendari IT in Southeast Sulawesi Province, Sanana FT, Labuha FT, and Ternate FT in North Maluku Province, with an estimated distribution volume of approximately 79,978 KL per month. “STS provides better flexibility in the fuel product distribution process. The transfer mechanism from the mother ship to the transport vessel enables more effective delivery to destination terminals,” said Lilik. He added that the entire operational series is carried out by prioritising Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) standards to ensure that safety, security, and distribution reliability are maintained in every process. In addition, Pertamina also conducts periodic evaluations of the STS operations as part of efforts to improve the reliability of the energy logistics system on Sulawesi Island.