The tow departed Ulsan on January 30 and is expected to arrive offshore Luanda towards the end of April. On arrival, Semco is contracted by HHI to perform positioning and deck operations in respect of the moorings. Five tugs will be deployed for the positioning with a fifth tug, the Salvaliant joining the other tugs and tow prior to arrival, together with a team of positioning masters and deck operations crew. Semco is also busy in the marine transportation field, having recently delivered two major shipments of offshore modules from the Far East to India and Qatar.

Semco also has a bullish vision for the future. Two alliances have been formed one with ODL known as the 'FPSOlutions Alliance' and another, launched last year with Fairmount Marine BV, named the 'OneAllianz' towing pool. These alliances complement each other, to offer full turnkey services in respect of FPSO towage and marine installation services. Given the high number of FPSOs coming on stream in the medium and longer term, these alliances are well positioned to win FPSO-related contracts.

Peter Lee, Semco's General Manager, says: "Over the past three years the company has been remodelled to gear up for special projects, particularly FPSO-related services. Our strategy includes the building of new, very powerful ocean towage/ salvage tugs and the establishment of dedicated project teams to handle positioning, engineering and deck operation works.

The 165 tonnes bollard pull Salvanguard and Salviscount were put into service early in 2004 and an order was signed recently with Universal Shipbuilding Corp (USC) of Japan for two 150 tonnes towing/ salvage tugs - with an option for a third. One is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2006, with the second following three months later. The newbuildings 3capacity for heavy fuel oil, enabling the tugs to tow non-stop for over 6,000 nautical miles. Two 50m utility tugs will be delivered in October of this year. By 2007 our fleet will include four big tugs.

Together with Fairmount Marine, who are also building four 200 tonne tugs for delivery from this May onwards, OneAllianz will have eight such units available on the global marine towage market".