Round-up: Your latest towing news

Fairplay-33 has been part of Fairplay Towage’s fleet since 2011 and a regular sight in European waters. It is now off to new owners, joining the fleet of Cyprus-based EDT Offshore Egypt SAE, reportedly to operate in the Mediterranean. One of two similar anchor-handling tugs from the ways of Mangalia Shipyard Romania, the 48.8m long, 8,158hp, 100tbp tug has previously been active in the offshore oil and gas industry and salvage sector. It sister ship Fairplay-32 is currently part of the Boluda fleet family operating as VB Hispania.

Spanish marine equipment supplier Fluidmecanica has reported that a Russian icebreaker-class rescue tug equipped with its escort towing system has successfully completed an “inter-navigation repair” and classification survey.

Nevskaya Zastava is an interesting tug with a lowerable wheelhouse allowing passage beneath bridges to suit the city of St Petersburg. Its icebreaking activities prevent flooding of the coastal area from ice accumulations that lead to a decrease in channel capacity. Fluidmecanica says its Russian River Vessel-approved towing systems continue working without incident.

A future tug delivery that will be followed with interest has progressed with the keel-laying ceremony of the latest rescue tug for Spain’s Salvamento Maritimo.

The ceremony took place at shipbuilder Astilleros Zamakona in Spain with the currently unnamed €52.5 million, DP2 vessel due for delivery in October 2023. It will provide an impressive 200tbp via diesel-electric propulsion on a hull length of 82.3m and accommodate 16 crew and 26 special operations members. A particular feature will be a flight deck and hangar for drones up to 9m.

Towage services provider Svitzer has announced two new appointments to its global leadership team based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Previously Head of Communications with Svitzer Europe, Pernille Brandis Rosengaard has now taken up the role of Head of Group Branding & Communications, while Emilie Bruun, who previously worked for Danish multinational medical company Coloplast, has been appointed Chief People Officer with Svitzer.

Svitzer CEO Kasper Nilaus said: “I am pleased to welcome Emilie and Pernille to Svitzer’s global leadership team. Their capabilities within their fields are unparalleled and it is clear they share a deep drive to help us collectively execute Svitzer’s ambitious strategy for the coming years.”