New towing venture in Denmark and Sweden

Tugs & Towing recently reported on developments for Iskes Towage & Salvage involving expansion into new geographical markets along with the forging of links with other similar owners and operators of shiphandling tugs. In a further sign of the Ijmuiden-based company’s desire to grow it has now entered into a joint venture agreement with BogserTeam Öresund (BTÖ).

The news is as relevant for BTÖ as for Iskes of course and is a further example of consolidation within the towing industry, a subject now mentioned increasingly in this column, and a further sign of the drive to create more efficient operations for customers in an increasingly competitive market.

The new JV is operating under the name of Port Towage Nordic (PTN) and aims to continue delivering towing services in The Sound area including at the ports of Malmö, Copenhagen and Helsingborg. The new company will initially operate the BTÖ managed contracts in The Sound area with a plan to expand its operation in the area including further options to extend to other ports if so requested by its clients.

PTN state it will make use of the already existing setup, knowledge, assets, management and craftsmanship of both organisations. With experience in maritime assistance operations, in particular harbour towage in ports including: Amsterdam, Lübeck and Lisbon in addition to the directly involved ports mentioned above it aims ‘to accommodate and provide clients with an alternative, flexible and international towage service provider.’

Michael Staufeldt from BTÖ and MD of the new JV states: “The skills and professionalism of our team with our extensive local knowledge together with the market access, assets and technology of Iskes, will ensure present and future clients will have a solid and sustainable alternative. Our new co-operation will further anchor our footprint in the area”.

On behalf of Iskes Towage & Salvage, Peter Rondhuis also MD of the new JV explains: “Sweden and Denmark have a long maritime heritage with trend-setting companies operating since the early days of shipping. We feel privileged that we can be part of the maritime communities in these countries and aim to improve the towage services area further with investments in technology, people and feedback from our respected clients. We are very pleased that BTÖ have chosen us to be their partner in their area and we hope, that with our further international exposure, we can provide our clients with the best possible service, within a growing network.”

By Peter Barker