Svitzer LNG contract prompts more orders

The contract involves provision of towage and other marine services to the multi-billion dollar INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG project at Port of Darwin in Australia. In addition to the ten year agreement, the contract includes the option to extend it up to a maximum of 19 years.

As in common with tailor-made solutions for towage services at LNG terminals the Ichthys LNG project requirement includes provision of services beyond just berthing and un-berthing duties. These include: safety and standby cover whereby a tug can be deployed speedily irrespective of the time of day; emergency and environmental incident response; fire-fighting; support for maintenance work on INPEX’s marine infrastructure and salvage operations within the port itself. To support the expected increase in activity at Darwin, Svitzer are planning a new tug base at the East Arm Wharf along with expansion of their local Darwin workforce.

For Turkish builder Sanmar, news of the contract has further cemented their relationship with Svitzer following the placing of an order for six tugs for the Danish-based tug owner last year (see MJ September 2015). On that occasion the contract covered six 70tbp RAstar 2800-E class tugs, Svitzer stating that they were to fulfil commitments to current and upcoming new contracts in various terminal towage markets. First deliveries in this series are expected in the fourth quarter of 2016.

For this latest order, Svitzer will take delivery of two RAstar 2810 class harbour terminal tugs, due to enter service alongside two additional vessels servicing LNG, LPG and condensate carriers at Darwin during 2017. These latest examples of the RAstar class will have a bollard pull of 80t, meet escort notation and include accommodation space for ten crew members. They will be equipped with a render/recovery winch on the foredeck and a winch on the aftdeck. As to be expected considering their area of operation they will also have fifi1 capability and include the usual LNG protection package.

Svitzer Australia’s Managing Director Mark Malone commented: “Having already secured contracts with Chevron and PNG-based Oil Search, we are very pleased to add INPEX to the list of global energy suppliers that rely on use to keep their vessels moving. Indeed, our concerted efforts over recent years to take advantage of new opportunities in the off-shore oil and gas industry are paying dividends.” Adding: “Securing this major contract not only cements Svitzer’s position as Australia’s leading provider of safe, reliable towage services, it’s also a vote of confidence in the expertise and professionalism of our local Darwin crews, which was integral to the success of our tender.”

By Peter Barker