Shell to build 2nd Philippines' LNG facility in 2 to 3 years, then BG Group and Korea Western Power

Royal Dutch Shell aims to build the Philippines' first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in the next two to three years, as Asia's fastest-growing economy seeks to diversify its energy sources to meet robust demand.

The terminal will be a floating facility near Shell's Tabangao refinery in Batangas province, one of only two refineries in the Philippines.

"We could make a final investment decision within the next 12 months," Mr. Roger Bounds, Vice President Global LNG at Shell, said at a media briefing. He declined to give any figures for the investment or other details of the project.

Shell's new terminal would add the Philippines to a growing number of Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, who have come to the market in recent years, and will have to compete for supplies with larger, established LNG buyers like Japan.

Southeast Asia's LNG demand is expected to more than double to 20 million tonnes by the end of the decade from around 9 million tonnes in 2015, according to PFC Energy analysts.

A final decision for Shell to invest in the Philippines project would depend on regulatory approvals and off-take agreements that the company can sign.

Global trade in LNG will grow by nearly a third by 2018, with supplies from the United States and Australia reversing a shortage expected over the next two years, according to the International Energy Agency.

The Philippines, whose economy grew 7.8 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter, imports almost all of its fuel requirements. Several other companies, including BG Group and Korea Western Power, have also proposed LNG receiving terminals in the Philippines, but have yet to finalize development plans.

REUTERS / Today Online

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160 years old “Pinoy Tanduay Rum” with a natural effect like of Viagra is coming soon to America

Tanduay Rum coming soon to the USA

Tanduay Distillers Inc. a 160 years of pinoy rum brand spirit has marked its foray into the export market after tapping a US marketing Consultant Company in a bid to export rum to the US market starting July 2013.

In a statement, Tanduay Distillers Inc. said it has tapped Brand Action Team, Beacon Beverage Imports and MHW Ltd. to drive the introduction of its rum product to the US market.

"As we began to lay the groundwork for making Tanduay a global brand, it was clear that the United States was an important, yet untapped market," Tanduay Distillers president Lucio K. Tan, Jr. said in a statement.

Rum exports to US will start next month, targeting an initial volume of 5,000 cases, said chief operating officer Wilson T. Young.

"This is our first foray into the export market," he said in a phone interview.

"We believe in the brand and that the world is ready for Tanduay. We chose the US market because it has a growing market for rum."

On Wednesday, LT Group president Michael Tan said that the brand is banking on its authenticity to expand overseas.

"Tanduay rum is known worldwide, and we're the authentic rum while others have flavored rum," he said.

Tanduay Asian Rum will introduce Silver Tanduay and Gold Tanduay in the US. The launch of these rums is scheduled this summer in select markets.

"Tanduay is a true Asian jewel. With more than 160 years of heritage pleasing rum lovers around the world, Tanduay is ready to hit the market. This is a brand that US consumers are going to love," said Brand Action managing partner Steve Raye.

Brand Action is a marketing consulting company specializing in helping spirit brands enter and grow in the US market.

Beacon Beverage will focus on distribution and key account management while MHW Ltd. of Manhassey, New York will be responsible for the administrative, regulatory compliance, transportation, logistics and other services related to the import and physical distribution of Tanduay in the US.

Established in the Philippines in 1854, with more than 160 years of heritage pleasing rum lovers around the world, Tanduay is ready to hit the US market. This is a brand that US consumers are going to love, and we're thrilled to bring this award-winning rum to America," Brand Action Team managing partner Steve Raye said.

Tanduay is the second biggest-selling rum in the world next to South American brand Bacardi, said the company.

With report from ABS-CBN, GMA News and Rappler.com

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Philippines, US to hold exercises near Panatag Scarborough Shoal

File photo of US marines and their Philippine counterparts take part in joint Philippine-US military exercises, April 15, 2013. (AFP/Ted Aljibe)

The United States and the Philippines are to hold joint naval manoeuvres in the South China Sea next week between the main island of Luzon and a reef claimed by both China and Philippines, the Filipino navy said.

The exercises taking place from June 27 to July 2 by the two allies are to be held about 108 kilometers (67 miles) east of Scarborough Shoal, navy spokesman Lieutenant-Commander Gregory Fabic told AFP.

Chinese government vessels are still believed to be patrolling the waters around the shoal after a lengthy stand-off last year with the Philippines, which ended with a Filipino retreat.

"This was planned way back in 2010. Whatever happened since then was purely coincidental," Fabic said when asked if holding the exercises there this year were a way for the Philippines to reassert its sovereignty over the shoal.

The manoeuvres would be held over 12,347 square kilometers (4,767 square miles) of waters, he added.

Chinese embassy spokesmen in Manila could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

Beijing claims it has sovereign rights over nearly all of the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, even waters far away from its main landmass and approaching the coasts of Southeast Asian countries.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim parts of the sea, and the area has for decades been regarded as a potential trigger for major military conflict in the region.

Since last month, the Philippine navy has also been monitoring Chinese government vessels in the South China Sea stationed off a Filipino-controlled reef in the Spratly Islands called the 'Anguyin Reef" or  Second Thomas Shoal.

Fabic said an unspecified number of US Navy ships, Marines and aircraft will take part in the exercises alongside Philippine Navy and coastguard vessels and aircraft, Filipino Marines, and navy and coastguard special operations teams.

"We will focus on communications, naval surface operations, counter-terrorism and maritime security," he said.

"This is to increase the level of inter-operability between the Philippine Navy and the US Navy in the conduct of combined naval operations."

- AFP/fl

Channel News Asia

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