TUGS & SALVAGE

Svitzer Continue a Significant Newbuild Programme

18 years ago

Since taking over the Wijsmuller Group in 2001 and the acquisition of Adsteam in 2007, Danish owned Svitzer has introduced over 90 new vessels to its fleets around the world. In order to maintain its position as a true market leader in harbour and terminal towage, the company has a significant and ongoing construction programme for fleet renewals and to support new business. In 2007 alone 24 vessels were delivered, the majority for new projects.

That number includes four 70 ton bollard pull high specification ASD ice breaking tugs built for the first LNG export terminal in Russia at Sakhalin Island. The tugs are designed to operate in ambient temperatures of minus 25(DEGREES) C and can break ice up to 0.85m thick, continuously at 3 knots. In extreme conditions, temperatures during winter can go as low as minus 40(DEGREES) C (including wind chill), requiring tugs to be ‘winterised’ with heated decks, handrails and similar equipment.Two 75 ton bollard pull Multipurpose Support Vessels (MSV) designed by Svitzer were built for a contract with ConocPhillips. The MSVs are equipped with waterfall winches aft, towing winches forward, azimuthing propulsion, anti-roll tanks to provide a better working platform, and other special features to meet client requirements for FPSO support.

Also completed in 2007 were four 70 ton bollard pull Damen ASD Tug 2411 shiphandling tugs for Australia and the UK, four standby/rescue vessels for ESVAGT, two patrol vessels for ARAMCO, and four 65 ton bollard pull ASD tug for various projects.

Four purpose built line handling boats were delivered, two for Sakhalin and two for Milford Haven in the UK. The first of six for Milford Haven, the boats are 12.8m long and designed to fit into a flat rack container, enabling fast and cost effective mobilisation and transportation on board container vessels. (See Maritime Journal – October 2007)

To control this programme, a ‘New Building’ department has been set up in Singapore with a ‘New Building Manager’ and an expanding team of eight supervisors. This ‘New Building’ team works closely with the operating regions to ensure that client requirements are met. When a new vessel is delivered, the team hands it over to the receiving region for mobilisation and introduction into service.

The Svitzer programme for 2008 has around 60 newbuildings on order at shipyards around the world. These include a large number of 65, 80 and 100 ton bollard pull ASD’s, an escort Voith, five more MSV’s and six standby/rescue vessels for ESVAGT. The 80 ton bollard pull tugs are to Svitzer’s own design and are the result of feedback from the operators and an extensive model testing programme carried out at the ‘Force Institute’ in Copenhagen. This wide variety of vessels demonstrates Svitzer’s involvement in all areas of Marine Services and the increased bollard pull requirement reflects the high specifications needed to meet the demands of LNG terminal operators.

Svitzer is deeply committed to this market and does not expect the programme to diminish in the near future. In parallel with this activity, Svitzer is running an EcoTug project with the aim of ensuring that the company maintains a strong position as an environmentally sustainable service provider and is working towards contributing to a cleaner, safer and healthier environment. This is being achieved by examining current operations and tug designs and looking for long term step changes in operational practices and technology.