TOWLINES March 2023

Latest news from the Turkish shipbuilder is that the Gisaş Power 2 recently completed its sea acceptance trials satisfactorily, including tests to prove the vessel’s seaworthiness and proper construction in accordance with the original order. Along with its predecessor Gisaş Power, vessel number two is a Zeetug30 variant providing 30tbp on a vessel length of just 18.7m, Navtek offering the Zeetug range from five to 80 tonnes bollard pull. Faith in the future of the series is clearly strong with the next family member, Gisaş Power 3, being launched recently.

Two tugs that lived up to their names are reportedly earmarked to leave Bermudan waters after more than 30 years’ service.

The conventionally configured pair Powerful and Faithful were UK-built by Cochrane of Selby in 1988 and 1990, and have served the Bermuda Government Maritime Administration powerfully and faithfully since. As visiting vessels including cruise ships grew in size, the decision was taken to replace the pair with two Damen ASD 2811 tugs carrying the same names. Both are now at their new home, the older tugs reportedly due to head off to Trinidad.

News is awaited of the future of 40 offshore vessels, part of the Dutch Vroon Shipping Group, which faces restructuring with control being handed over to its lenders following a difficult trading year.

Family-owned Vroon has a history stretching back more than 130 years and operates a variety of vessels including tankers and livestock carriers, but it is its extensive offshore fleet, ranging from AHTS vessels to PSVs to ERRVs and walk-to-work vessels, that is generating particular interest. One industry rumour hints at disposal of the offshore fleet as a whole or in groups rather than individual vessel disposals.

Drew Shannon has been selected to join the Executive Committee of the International Salvage Union (ISU).

Following time with Svitzer Salvage and Ardent, Mr Shannon became owner and managing director of United Salvage, the only ISU member in Australia. The company was re-established in 2020 following a management buyout from previous owners Ardent, and is now regional salvor for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Mr Shannon also holds the position of a Special Casualty Representative.