Within two years, the OneAllianz pool, operating commercially from Singapore and Rotterdam, will consist of seven powerful newly constructed anchor-handling/salvage/long haul towing vessels. In August of this year, Fairmount celebrated the keel-laying of the first of three 200 tonnes bollard pull new vessels under construction at the yard of Niigata Shipbuilding & Repair in Japan. In May 2005 this first vessel, Fairmount Sherpa , will join the new Semco tugs Salvanguard and Salviscount (165 tonnes bollard pull - delivered early in 2004) in the OneAllianz fleet.

Fairmount's second new tug Fairmount Summit will be delivered in October 2005 and the company has ordered a third 75m, twin-screw tug, Fairmount Alpine , from Niigata, with delivery scheduled for May 2006.

Meanwhile, Semco is actively seeking tenders for the construction of two more large ocean-going tugs. All of the newly constructed tugs in the pool will have similar operational capabilities and will be known collectively as the 'OneAllianz' Class.

The OneAllianz initiative is focused on high value towage projects for the offshore industry, requiring a high level of technical expertise. Both OneAllianz partners have a strong track record in the market for long haul, offshore-related tows.

Semco General Manager Peter Lee says: 'In joining hands with Fairmount, clients have access to a brand new ocean towage fleet with unrivalled capabilities in the long haul sector. We also look forward to developing the OneAllianz pool's exciting potential in the deepsea mooring/ installations markets. This is a highly significant capability, as clients now have a one-stop, turnkey FPSO solution, in the shape of OneAllianz'.