Tug expansion for Mammoet in the Middle East

The activities of the Netherlands-based Mammoet are probably best recognised by its vivid red cranes, multi-wheel transporters and fleet of heavy lorries. It provides heavy lifting and transport solutions to a number of industries, four of which: offshore; wind power and renewables; civil construction and ports and shipyards involve activity in the maritime environment and this recently announced partnership aims to expand its onshore and offshore transport capacity including with oil and gas construction projects in the Middle East.

Astro Offshore own and operate offshore support vessels including tugs and barges providing services to above mentioned projects throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia and with both companies involved in the oversized cargo transportation market are pre-qualified with the main EPC contractors globally.

Martijn Kuipers, managing director Mammoet Middle East and Africa said: “As barging is a critical aspect in the transport chain for all future Oil and Gas projects in this region, our new partnership will bolster our available barge and tug fleet in the region, and accordingly further strengthens our services in onshore and offshore transport.”

For Astro Offshore Pte Ltd, managing director Mark Humphreys commented: “We are pleased to announce this exciting partnership with Mammoet of which we believe will not only strengthen ties with existing customers, but new ones as well. Whilst harnessing Astro’s and Mammoet’s strengths, we believe the partnership can provide a plethora of ‘door to door’ turnkey transportation solutions.”

Astro Offshore’s tug fleet is listed as the Astro Reliance, Astro Procyon, Astro Polaris, Astro Canopus and Astro Capella. Built between 2009 and 2012 they are conventionally-propelled multipurpose tugs offering bollard pulls between 62 and 71 tons and towing winches between 150 and 180 tons static brake load. It also has seven flat-top barges with capacities ranging from 5,100dwt to 11,500dwt.

Mammoet previously had a presence in the salvage sector through Mammoet Salvage. In 2016 and as “the salvage market was not 100% related to Mammoet’s core activities” Mammoet Salvage, its assets and then-current projects were sold to Koole Contractors, the new company thereafter known as Koole Mammoet Salvage B.V.

By Peter Barker