TOWLINES

When one of Redwise’s’ repeat customers acquired the anchor-handling tug Ihuaki 2 it turned to the ship delivery specialist to complete the transaction. Redwise handled registration, change of flag surveys, underwater cleaning, upgrading of radio and safety equipment and delivery under its power to Nigeria around Cape of Good Hope, all on a lump sum basis.

After an uneventful voyage a security escort was arranged by the owners into the Niger Delta after which Redwise agents handled the crew demobilisation.

Robert Allan Ltd has announced the imminent retirement of current managing director Ken Harford P.Eng. Ken’s first career job was as a consulting acoustical engineer following graduation with a B.A.Sc from University of British Columbia in 1970.

Through his subsequent business dealings he began a long association with the BC tugboat industry specialising in noise and vibration levels aboard tugs. His engineering talents next took him to manufacturing control systems for Niigata Z-Peller drives and after selling his business interests joined Robert Allan Ltd in 1988 as senior project overseer. In 2008 Ken oversaw the transition as Rob Allan sold the company to his employees, Ken becoming President of the new company. Mr Harford leaves after 28 years of dedicated service and leadership and a driving force behind the success of the company now in its 86th year of continuous business.

Another change of personnel to report comes from Australia where after five years in post Mark Malone is stepping down as managing director of Svitzer Australia. The position will be filled by Steffen Risager who since February 2015 has been Svitzer Australia’s chief operating officer. Mr Malone will remain in the post until mid-2016 to support the transition.

Svitzer CEO Robert Uggla paid tribute to Mr Malone’s record stating that he had successfully navigated its Australian business through “a very difficult period”. This was characterised by increased competition and growing economic uncertainties, both locally and globally. Mr Uggla stated the outgoing managing director had laid a strong foundation for a sustainable performance in the years ahead.

Wagenborg Transport has completed the tow of a high voltage substation from Rotterdam to Esbjerg, eventually bound for the 400MW Horns Rev C offshore wind farm. Wagenborg utilised both the largest tug in its fleet Waterland along with its largest barge Wagenborg Barge 9.

Wagenborg’s ballast engineers assisted in the load-out at the quay of HSM’s premises at Schiedam onto the 122m long and 36m wide barge which carried the substation. Upon arrival at Esbjerg both tug and barge were prepared for final installation of the substation at the wind farm by the crane vessel Stanislav Yudin.

By Peter Barker