• Shell Malaysia launched a new fuel storage tank and additional loading bay.

• The move allows Shell Malaysia to meet the rising demand for Shell fuels in the Central region.

• The tank has a 10 million litre capacity while the arms dispense 1,800 litres of fuel per minute.

Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn. Bhd. officially launched a new cutting-edge fuel storage tank and an additional loading bay at Westports, Port Klang. The expansion boosts Shell Malaysia’s capability in meeting the growing demand for Shell fuels in the Central region of Peninsular Malaysia.

The new tank, the tenth such facility owned by Shell at the terminal, was constructed under Phase 4 of the Shell Westports Terminal Expansion Plan. It was officially launched by Datuk Iain Lo, Chairman of Shell Malaysia and Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, Group Managing Director of Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

In addition to the new 10 million-litre storage tank, the expansion plan also included a new loading bay with six loading arms configured to dispense three key Shell fuel products – Fuelsave 95, V-Power 97 and Fuelsave Euro 5 Diesel – at a rate of 1,800 litres a minute. This increases the efficiency of loading processes for road tankers. The tankers now can be fully loaded in just 25 minutes, which significantly reduces the congestion at the Klang Valley Distribution Terminal (KVDT).

“I am happy to announce that this new storage facility at Westport will enable Shell to meet the increasing demands for its products in Klang Valley. The efficient new facilities will enhance Shell’s competitiveness and ensure Shell’s ability to meet all customer needs,” said Datuk Iain Lo.

He also added that Shell has been fuelling Malaysia’s progress for the past 128 years and will continue to invest in strengthening its presence in the country by offering not just top-quality products, but also efficient services that meet the needs of consumers and businesses.

The storage tank is constructed using the innovative jack-up method instead of the traditional bottom-up process. Here, the top section of the tank including the roof is constructed first before being lifted with hydraulics, which enables the lower sections to be assembled. This minimises the use of scaffoldings, the need for workers to work at height and enabled construction to proceed safely and get completed ahead of schedule, despite space restrictions and ongoing activities in the vicinity.

The successful completion of Phase 4 of the Shell Westports Terminal Expansion Plan was a strong testament to the close co-operation and high safety standards adopted by the teams from Shell Malaysia, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the project consultants and contractors.