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Buoyed
by strengthening of support and
growing popularity for its dedicated
tanker shipping services, Sutrajaya
Shipping Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of
the Federal Land Development
Authority (Felda), is looking at
acquiring more vessels.
Disclosing
this the chairman of the company
Datuk Dr Hj Mohd Noor Yusof said of
recent support had particularly been
growing from non-Felda customers who
are now being served by chartered-in
vessels to cover serve markets in
India, China and Pakistan.
“In
addition, vessels have been employed
on a spot basis to serve those
destinations where our ships do not
call regularly,” he said at the
naming and delivery of Sutrajaya’s
latest acquisition, MT Sutra Empat
last weekend in Singapore
The
vessel, which is fourth owned vessel
of the company, is a 1994 Japanese
built 7,804 dwt IMO II/III chemical
tanker with single hull and double
bottomed equipped with center
stainless steel tanks and epoxy
coated wings tanks.
Yusof
Noor said the company, who also
operates several chartered tonnage
in addition to its four owned
vessels, acquisition of second-hand
tonnage vessels was part of the
company’s fleet expansion
programme to support its business
strategy and diversifying into
other competitive business.
To
support its expansion, the company
recently increased its paid up
capital to RM100 million which, he
added, reflected the seriousness
with which its parent company, Felda,
viewed its contribution to the
group’s earnings.
“We
are very conscious of the tough
challenges the business the business
world is facing, particularly in
shipping,” he noted.
Yusof
Noor said the company would continue
to expand its fleet of ships that
are suitable for its business,
notably for the carriage of palm
products which would continue to
remain its core business “but will
we diversify into the transportation
of other liquid cargoes.”
Sutrajaya
is lifting currently composed of 85
per cent of cargo from Felda and the
remaining from non-Felda source.
“We
will continue to pursue other third
party business related to marine
consultancy, ship management and
training,” he added.
The
naming and delivery ceremony which
was officiated by Dato’ Dr. Mohd
Yusof Noor, the Group Chairman of
Felda Holding was attended by the
CEO and executive director of
Sutrajaya, En. Nasaruddin Haji Ab
Ghani, and other invited guests.
Meanwhile
MT Sutra Empat, is in port at
Kuantan this week to load palm oil
for Felda Palm Industries Sdn Bhd on
her maiden call and will head for
India.
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