Designed for three-man operation the vessels considerably enhance the standard of service offered to the customer. (A full account of Svitzer Bristol, the first vessel to be delivered, appeared in the August issue of Maritime Journal . ) Mr Stuart McNiven Managing Director of Svitzer Marine in the UK presided over the naming ceremony, carried out in the presence of almost one hundred guests from the Port of Bristol, the City of Bristol, clients, business associates and local shipping interests from all over the west of England and Wales.

The tugs were christened by their sponsors; Ms Julia Grassick, partner of Terence Mordaunt, Chairman of The Bristol Port Company, for Svitzer Brunel and Mrs. Kay Ord, wife of Mr David Ord, Managing Director of The Bristol Port Company, for Svitzer Bristol . In his introductory speech Mr McNiven said; 'One of the main reasons Svitzer Marine Limited decided to invest more than £6m in building two new tugs for the port was the robust, pro-active attitude of the port owners and we now look forward to a positive future of mutual benefit to Svitzer Marine and The Bristol Port Company.

The Svitzer company dates back to 1833 when Em Z Svitzer Salvage Company was established. Almost a century later this was acquired by A P Moller and since then many diverse marine operations have been added to the Group, including of course Wijsmuller in 2001. And so that is how this UK operation came to belong to Svitzer. Many of you will remember Cory Towage, part of the Ocean Group, and before that the individual tug-owning families around the UK. Today towage is moving into a new era of ownership and it is no secret that Svitzer is owned by A P Moller. We believe we can maintain our own identity but are also to pleased to be part of the overall culture of the larger A P Moller Group.'

In reply Terence Mordaunt said: - The Port of Bristol is expected to handle in excess of 12 million tonnes during 2003.

The size of ships using the Royal Portbury Docks has increased to 120,000dwt presenting a shiphandling challenge in a port with one of the highest tidal ranges in the world. The Port of Bristol owes a debt to Svitzer Marine for the high standard of service provided.

Royal Portbury is an enclosed dock system with more deep-water berths than any similar facility anywhere in the UK and is the fastest growing British port, with superb rail and road connections. In recent months a new facility has been commissioned to handle aviation spirit and one million tonnes will pass through the port in its first year. Other new services in fruit and vegetables are expected to grow enormously due to the ideal geographic location of the port from a distribution point of view.

The Chairman of Svitzer Marine Limited, Mr Keld Balle-Mortensen, travelled from Copenhagen to attend the event.

Svitzer Bristol and Svitzer Brunel represent an investment of more than £6m and are part of a massive fleet replacement programme planned for Svitzer tug fleets around the world valued at £100m and involving some thirty vessels. This investment will enable older vessels to be replaced and new business to be pursued while offering a high standard of service. Svitzer worldwide has a fleet of over 220 vessels and employs more than 2000 personnel in 23 countries.

The Group is involved, among other things, in harbour and terminal towage, salvage and offshore services.