For some years Svitzer has conducted a progressive fleet replacement programme involving some 30 new vessels per year. That figure will almost certainly be increased in the light of several new contracts, such as the nine tug fleet for Milford Haven and an increased need for fleet replacements.

Commenting on the handover to Adsteam clients, Stephen Eastwood, CEO, Adsteam (Europe) said; ‘This is excellent news for the business and I am confident that the new Svitzer team will build on the successful foundations we have been able to put in place in recent years. Inevitably, there will be a few organisational changes as the two companies come together, but I can assure you that there will be no interruption in the quality and standard of service you currently receive.’

Just a few days before the takeover became effective the Adsteam fleet at Felixstowe took delivery of the powerful ASD tug ‘Adsteam Intrepid’. The Japanese built tug was imported by J P Knight (Caledonian) Ltd and sold on to Adsteam after minor modifications required to bring the vessel under the British flag and to meet MCA rules. (See Maritime Journal February 2007). The impressive 32m craft is typical of the latest generation of Japanese built shiphandling tugs. The Adsteam and Svitzer fleets in Britain have a number of examples of earlier Japanese built tugs that have given excellent service over many years. This latest addition retains most of the well tried popular features but has been brought up to date in terms of bollard pull and all round visibility for the tug master.

Adsteam Intrepid was built by Kamagawa of Kobe in 2005 and is powered by two Niigata 6L28HX main engines developing a total of 4,400 bhp to drive a pair of fully azimuthing ZP 31 Z-Peller propulsion units each incorporating five blade, skewed propellers. On pre-delivery trials in Scotland the tug achieved a bollard pull of 65 tons and a free running speed of 13.8 knots.

Almost simultaneously, Smit International took control of the Adsteam Liverpool fleet as anticipated (Maritime Journal – March 2007). The Liverpool fleet was sold separately as required by the UK Competitions Commission.