Towlines

Dutch Group Smit International NV has reported an increase in revenues from 4.9m in the first half of 2002 to <$>19.9m in the first half of 2003.

Net profit rose from ? 4.8m to ? 12m. Net profit per share, adjusted for repurchased shares, is 1.59 compared to 0.63 over the same period in 2002.

Based on the current dollar exchange rate, a net annual result of 22.0m ( 2.92 per share) is expected for 2003.

Adsteam Towage have introduced two powerful azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tugs to their Thames fleet based at Gravesend. Named Gurrong and Redcliffe , both vessels were delivered to Europe from the parent group in Australia under their own power.

Gurrong is a vessel of 33m in length with an 11.5m beam and 495 gross tons built in 2000. The tug has a bollard pull of 65 tonne and is powered by two Daihatsu main engines, of 4850bhp (total), driving Z-Peller propulsion units.

The second vessel Redcliffe was built in 1986, has a length of 33.92m and a beam of 10.82m.

Two Yanmar diesels produce 4800 bhp to give the tug a bollard pull of 64 tonnes.

Marine Towing of Tampa one of the only two companies in the USA to operate the unique Ship Docking Module (SDM), has ordered an 5000bhp ASD tug from Washburn & Doughty Shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine. The Caterpillar powered tug will be 28m in length and be similar to a pair of tugs recently completed for Boston Towing .

Marine Towing , first formed in 1999, currently operate two SDM Mk 2 vessels and two conventional twin-screw vessels.