Bangkok: Bangchak Corporation has provided clarification on the operations of its crude oil tankers amid questions raised in a parliamentary debate concerning the stops made in Singapore for oil delivery. The company explained that these operations follow a space-sharing system, a standard procedure in crude oil transportation.
According to Thai News Agency, the clarification comes after Mr. Chaichana Dechdecho, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the Democrat Party, expressed concerns over the transparency of the government's negotiations with Iran. These negotiations allow oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to deliver oil to Bangchak. Mr. Dechdecho pointed out that ship tracking data showed the tankers stopping in Singapore before reaching Thailand, and questioned why the oil did not arrive at its destination in full, hinting at possible "partial sales."
Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited responded to these concerns by stating that the crude oil shipment in question was conducted under a co-loading operation. This practice involves multiple customers sharing a transportation service to optimize efficiency. The tanker carried cargo for another customer with a destination in Singapore, leading to sequential deliveries as per the shipping plan before proceeding to Thailand to deliver oil at the Bangchak Sriracha refinery port. While specific details about other customers are confidential, the company has kept the relevant government agencies informed from the start of the coordination process.
The crude oil tanker MT.POLA, originating from the Middle East, eventually arrived at the Bangchak refinery port in Sriracha on the night of April 7, 2026, carrying 700,000 barrels of crude oil. This arrival was delayed by 15 days due to the Thai government's negotiations with Iranian and Omanian authorities. No additional costs were incurred for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
In explaining the co-load system, Bangchak highlighted its common use in the crude oil shipping industry. This system allows multiple customers to share a chartered vessel, distributing the charter cost among several buyers. It ensures efficient utilization of the tanker's large capacity, thus minimizing transportation costs for oil delivered to Thailand.