Tugs & Salvage

Rotterdam-based Smit Salvage has had a busy period with some activities that grab mainstream media headlines and others attracting little attention.

Resolve Marine has been involved in a diverse range of salvage activities including removal of heavy fuel oil from a ship that sunk over 50 years ago.

International Salvage Union (ISU) annual statistics report weaker industry revenues and a dramatic fall in wreck removals, its president expressing concern at the industry’s long-term viability as it is today.

Uzmar Shipyards has delivered a multipurpose oil spill recovery and support vessel becoming the largest Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) designed vessel ever built in Turkey.

US privately-owned Crowley Maritime Corporation has expanded its towage fleet with the addition of a biofuel-powered escort tug and an articulated tug/barge (ATB) unit.

Kotug Training & Consultancy and AMC Search are to develop a strategic partnership to train tug masters, ship crews and pilots in Australia.

Tug operator Cory Group has switched its Thames lighterage tugs to biofuel after trials resulted in a net CO2 emissions reduction of 90%.

Sanmar Shipyards has delivered a Robert Allan Ltd tractor tug to Italy’s Tripmare making the third similar design vessel to operate at Ashdod Port, Israel.

Shipyards are experiencing a busy period with the awarding of five contracts to report, three involving multiple vessels making a total of 15 newbuilds on their way.

At a time when green, remotely controlled and autonomous tugs attract attention, let’s draw breath and reflect on how tug design itself has developed in recent decades.