PT Perta Arun Gas LNG Terminal Becomes New Hub for Gassing Up and Cooling Down Services for LNG Vessels
PT Perta Arun Gas (PAG), a part of Pertamina’s Gas Subholding and a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Gas (Pertagas), is strengthening its position as a global integrated energy hub. The company is acting as a one-stop energy provider through its Gassing Up and Cooling Down (GUCD) operational services for international and domestic LNG vessels operating at the Arun Terminal in Lhokseumawe, Aceh.
GUCD refers to a series of operations designed to ensure that LNG vessel tanks are in an ideal and safe condition before loading LNG molecules. In the energy industry, LNG tanks cannot be loaded immediately. This procedure is a primary safety measure to maintain the structural integrity of the vessel’s tanks, prevent potential hazards caused by drastic temperature changes, and ensure the quality of the LNG cargo is preserved during the shipping process.
Beginning in 2023, PAG received its first GUCD service customer from BP Singapore, with a volume of approximately 4,900 m³ and an actual molecular content of 115,060.000 Million British Thermal Units (MMBTU). As customer confidence grows, PAG has aggressively marketed this business service through 2026, having served over 38 vessels from more than 15 global companies, a figure projected to increase annually.
As of 2026, the terminal has received 18 cargo ships, bringing the total actual LNG volume received to approximately 70,000 m³ with an actual molecular content of approximately 1.6 million MMBTU. Entering September 2026, PAG continues to demonstrate growth and is expanding its business lines with various global LNG companies.
Leveraging its operational experience and LNG infrastructure, PAG is developing its GUCD business capabilities as part of its effort to become a GUCD Centre capable of serving the needs of LNG vessels from various industry players, both for domestic and international markets. This growth aligns with PAG’s strategy to optimise the Arun Terminal facilities and expand its portfolio of cooperation with global LNG players and international counterparts.
Through the support of the Arun LNG Terminal facilities and its operational expertise, PAG is able to provide GUCD services by prioritising Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE), facility reliability, operational excellence, and service quality for customers.
President Director Yan Syukharial stated that the development of GUCD services is part of PAG’s commitment to optimising the Arun assets while strengthening the company’s position as an integrated LNG service provider.
“GUCD services are a form of infrastructure optimisation for the Arun LNG Terminal and a manifestation of PAG’s commitment to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality services to our clients,” said Yan.
“Looking ahead, we see that the GUCD business has immense potential. Previously, only Singapore was a major player in the GUCD business in Asia, but now the PAG Terminal has become a new hub for LNG vessels in Asia. The increase in volume and the growing number of customers serve as momentum for PAG to continue increasing asset utilisation, strengthening human resource competence, and enhancing facility reliability. In doing so, the Arun LNG Terminal can play an even greater role in supporting both national and international LNG needs,” Yan concluded.
The presence of GUCD services further strengthens Arun’s role as part of the development of an LNG Hub in the Asian region. Supported by terminal facilities, storage, jetties, and integrated LNG infrastructure, PAG continues to develop various services to support the LNG supply chain, including receiving, storage, regasification, unloading & reloading, and other services.