Svitzer UK appoints new head of Operations

A new managing director has been appointed to lead Svitzer’s operations in the UK ‘at a time when port congestion, larger vessels and adverse weather conditions is making maritime and harbour operations more challenging,” says Svitzer.

Matthew Gordon has run business in energy and maritime, including owning and operating offshore vessels, for more than 30 years, the announcement says.

Gordon has also held leading positions at North Star, Atlantic Offshore and Vroon Offshore Services.

“The UK is Svitzer’s largest cluster, highly competitive and complex,” said Svitzer Europe managing director Arjen Van Dijk. “I feel confident that Mr Gordon, with his experience and leadership capabilities and personality, will make a positive difference for Svitzer, our people and customers.”

“Port congestion, larger vessels and more extreme weather mean the maritime supply chain is challenged,” said Matthew Gordon. “Svitzer offers a unique value proposition that addresses this, ensuring continuous operations. I look forward to engaging with customers to strengthen maritime infrastructure, which is crucial to society and the economy.”

Svitzer has signed a contract with Cheoy Lee Shipyards for six additional 29m TRAnsverse 2900 tugs, bringing its total number of the vessels on order with the yard to 14. The 80-tonne bollard-pull tugs will be biofuel-ready, IMO Tier III and FiFi1 compliant, with deliveries due from early 2028.

The order comes as the first of eight previously contracted vessels nears completion in Zhuhai, China. Svitzer COO Kasper Karlsen said: “As our TRAnsverse fleet expands, we are giving customers greater flexibility to optimise their operations, overcome constraints and improve performance across productivity, safety and sustainability.” The new order takes Svitzer’s TRAnsverse vessels under construction globally to 24.