Members of Svitzer’s management team carried out inspection visits to both of Sanmar’s modern custom-built shipyards to check on the progress of existing orders and discuss further contracts that the global market leader in towage and emergency response already has with the Turkish shipbuilder.
Chief technical officer, Kristian Brauner, and head of group newbuilding, Esben H Grundvig, were advised by Sanmar Managing Director Cem Seven that it was business as usual at both yards.
The Svitzer team signed a new order for two 24m long, 70 tonne bollard pull, Robert Allan Ltd, RAmparts 2400 SX design Bogacay Class ASD tugs. Both vessels are in-build at the Altinova facility to be delivered in October.
A pair of 80 tonne bollard pull, 28m Sanmar Terminal ASDs (RAstar 2800E design) are also under construction for Svitzer at the same shipyard. These larger more powerful vessels are destined for the Ichthys LNG project, located about 220 kilometres offshore Western Australia. Ichthys represents the largest discovery of hydrocarbon liquids in Australia in 40 years.
Svitzer’s faith in the builder has already been confirmed by awarding the six tug “Silver Bullet” project, all of which will be constructed at Sanmar’s Tuzla-based shipyard. These vessels are also of the Terminal class but with 70 tonne bollard pull.
