Monday 28th September 2020 saw the inaugural loadout of methanol from the Port of Brighton, La Brea. This cargo of methanol was produced from Caribbean Gas Chemical Limited (CGCL) located at Union Industrial Estate, La Brea, which is an industrial estate owned by National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (National Energy), a subsidiary of NGC. CGCL, a joint venture enterprise with NGC as one of the equity investors, is a locally registered and operated company formed to oversee the project development stage of the Complex.
The methanol was loaded to the vessel, MT Trans Catalonia, which anchored in Trinidad waters on Sunday 27th September 2020. It then departed anchorage at 6am on Monday 28th September 2020 accompanied by two National Energy tugs, to make its way to Berth 2 of the Port of Brighton, located at the La Brea Industrial Estate which is owned and operated by NGC subsidiary, La Brea Industrial Development Company Limited (LABIDCO). Once safely moored, CGCL in conjunction with LABIDCO prepared for and began loading operations.
Traditionally methanol has only been shipped from the Port of Point Lisas, Point Lisas Industrial Estate where petrochemical plants are located. This development of port and marine facilities at the Port of Brighton brings an array of opportunities for the geographical space, the NGC Group of companies and the country as a whole. According to NGC President Mr. Mark Loquan, “NGC remains focussed on expanding its business along the energy value chain and continues to play a pivotal role in the development of our nation’s energy sector. We have diversified our core business from what was traditionally considered midstream, to both the upstream and downstream of the gas value chain. “
This first scheduled shipment has been a successful operation, with the support of all relevant stakeholders, making this a historic event in the country’s energy history.