PETRON COMMISSIONS 3rd DOUBLE-HULL
AND BOTTOM VESSEL PETRO ANICA

Industry leader Petron Corporation commissioned its 3rd double-hull, double-bottom oil product tanker, the M/T Petro Anica. The vessel is part of the Shipping Business Alliance project that the company started in 2004, aimed at procuring modern, high-performance and safer vessels for its product deliveries across the country.

Petron was the first oil company in the country to use a double-hull, double-bottom vessel when it inaugurated M/T Daniela Natividad in April 2005. On August 2006, the company commissioned M/T Ashton. Petron's use of these vessels anticipates the Maritime Industry Authority's (MARINA) planned requirement for domestic tankers to be double-hull and double-bottom, and even the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) similar requirement for international tankers.

"The commissioning of Petro Anica underscores our commitment to use newer and safer vessels to transport fuels," Petron VP for Supply and Operations Mon E. Antiporta said. "This further strengthens our supply chain since the vessels that are coming on-line will ensure efficiency and reliability in our product deliveries."

Petron expects to commission 4 additional double-hull, double-bottomvessels over the next two years.

M/T Petro Anica is the largest and most modern Philippine oil product tanker. Built only last April 2007 in China, she belongs to the next generation of tankers certified for unrestricted service, with complete compliance to all international and local regulations. All navigational and radio communications employ the latest upgraded requirements as standard features such as the Ship Security Alert, Electronic Chart Display Information and Anti-Collision Alert systems. All these are backed by the double redundancy format as required by the IMO.

The vessel is outfitted with advanced systems for fire-fighting and life-saving, exceeding MARINA requirements for local tankers. The propulsion and power are automated and it even has a bow thruster to enhance safety in docking and undocking operations. Cargo handling is centralized in a control room from which all pumps and valves are operated. The vessel can transport a wide range of fuels from black (bunker fuel oil) and white (gasoline, kerosene & diesel) petroleum products, and even bio-fuels (ethanol and CME).

"Consistent with the company's mission to provide world-class, safe and reliable transport service to the oil and gas industry, we are proud and grateful to be Petron's business partner in its Shipping Business Alliance Project," Seatrans Executive Vice President Carlo N. Leonio said. "We have once again proved our company's readiness to adapt to Petron's dynamic needs and expectations through the timely delivery of M/T Petro Anica, the largest and most modern double-hull oil product tanker to trade in Philippine waters. The technologically-advanced features of the ship confirm our commitment of continuously providing safe, efficient and reliable shipping service to Petron."

The M/T Petro Anica is owned and operated by Seatrans Corporation, a member of the Petrolift Group of Companies. The principals of the Petrolift Group has been engaged in logistics and other marine related services for over 70 years and presently operates 9 marine vessels.