June

200

9

page 3Joint ventures play key role in

SMIT Harbour Towage expansion

page 8Major upgrading scheduled

for sheerlegs ‘Taklift 4’

page 6SMIT teams provide a wide range of salvage services

page 12SMIT Subsea project teams

are active worldwide

page 5SMIT Terminals continues to

unfold growth strategy

page 16Naming ceremony URS

newbuildings in Zeebrugge

More Record result in 2008: Recognising opportunities in a time of

downturn 2

Optimising tug deployments in the Belgian ports 4

New salvage projects now starting up 5

Freeing ‘Crete Cement’ following a grounding in Oslo Fjord 7

Enhancing total compliance services for OPA-90 salvage 7

Long term contracts offer some insulation from downturn 8

SMIT completes heavy lift series for Frigg jacket demolition 9

Upgrade of ‘Smit Borneo’ continues 11

SMIT Marine Projects commences Rhyl Flats windfarm contract 11

SMIT Amandla Marine focusses on business sustainability in

uncertain times 13

SMIT’s new fleet: a perspective on five years of achievement 13

Work progresses on the E3 tug concept 16

SMIT’s SHE-Q professionals gather in Rotterdam 16

www.smit.com

ColophonFor any information about specific activities,

equipment and services, please apply to:

SMIT

Waalhaven O.Z. 85

P.O. Box 59052

3008 PB Rotterdam

Tel + 31 10 454 99 11

Fax + 31 10 454 97 77

E-mail company@smit.com

Editor

SMIT Corporate Communications

Texts

TRS Public Relations

SMIT Corporate Communications

Design & production

Studio Clarenburg, Schiedam

Photography

SMIT Corporate Communications

Roderik van Nispen

Aerolin

and various SMIT colleagues

Printing

Schefferdrukkerij, Dordrecht

Copyright

Texts can only be reproduced after

permission from the editor.

Smit Internationale achieved

a record result in 2008. I am

pleased with both the result

and its underlying quality. Our

businesses performed strongly

throughout the year, despite

the onset of world recession

in the second half. We are now

engaged in even closer monitor-

ing of the markets in this period

of downturn. We are also alive

to the opportunities that can

be expected during recession.

Meanwhile, we will continue to

invest in SMIT’s future, with a

strong focus on safety, health,

quality and education.

Above all, we need to be ready to respond to

dynamic market change. The downturn will

likely have most effect in the area of harbour

towage. Yet harbour towage is a business with

inherent stability. We are now weathering

exceptional economic conditions, with a large

number of vessels laid up, but this will have no

effect on longer term prospects and the funda-

mental resilience of SMIT Harbour Towage.

Opportunities may also arise for new joint

ventures and acquisitions in the harbour

towage market. Smaller tug operators are chal-

lenged by the need to invest in more powerful

tugs. They are finding it increasingly difficult

to secure funding. One solution is to seek a

strong partner, such as SMIT, for mutually

beneficial joint ventures.

SMIT Terminals, meanwhile, is a business

founded on long term contracts. These will

continue to generate stable income for many

years. It is possible that some projects, cur-

rently at the planning stage, may be deferred

but we foresee no significant impact from

recession on this Division’s performance over

the next two years.

The recession may also lead to an increased

demand for salvage services. Forecasting is

difficult here, as, on the one hand, decisions

to lay-up vessels reduce overall risk exposure.

On the other hand, a downturn puts pressure

on costs. Cutbacks in areas such as manning,

maintenance and repair can increase risk expo-

sure. No-one can predict whether the latter

effect will outweigh the former. We must wait

and see. Currently, the salvage sector world-

wide is relatively quiet, but quiet periods are

not unusual in a market with inherent uncer-

tainties.

As for SMIT Transport & Heavy Lift, the trans-

port sector benefits from stable income gen-

erated by a group of large anchorhandling/

supply vessels committed to long-term con-

tracts. Naturally, spot market activities are

more exposed to recession. Overall, however,

SMIT’s transport business continues to perform

well.

Recession does bring opportunities for busi-

nesses nimble enough to recognise and exploit

them. In our case, there may be an opportunity

to resume newbuilding orders. We stopped

ordering in May 2008 as new tugs were getting

too expensive and delivery times continued

to lengthen. With yard over-capacity rapidly

developing, newbuild prices will fall and deliv-

ery times will shorten. There is now a real pros-

pect - later this year or next year - for the cost-

effective building of more new vessels.

New opportunities are also opening up to

grow SMIT’s human capital. In the current

market we can expect it to become easier to

recruit high quality personnel for operational

and shore-based positions.

Overcoming challengesIn many ways 2008, as mentioned, was a

remarkable year, marked by the best results

to date in SMIT’s very long corporate history.

This was achieved despite an accelerating

downturn in the second half and the distrac-

tions caused by the intended bid of Boskalis

- a failed attempt to break up our successful

Group. The record result was achieved despite

the Salvage Division returning to a historical

average result, as against the extraordinary

highs of 2007 (largely a result of the huge

workload in the aftermath of hurricanes Rita

and Katrina). This substantial overall result in

2008 was fully compensated by the increased

result from SMIT businesses with more stable

income streams. This achievement was all the

greater, given the fall in dollar value over the

year as well.

Looking to 2009, the economic slowdown

and fewer vessel movements will have an

effect in the harbour towage area. At the same

time, our full ownership of URS will make a

major contribution. We still have more work

to do here, to maximise synergies between

Rotterdam and Antwerp but the first results are

positive. Elsewhere in the world, our Towmar

joint venture in the Baltic begins to develop,

with operations at Klaipeda, Ventspils and

other ports. There are good growth opportuni-

ties in this region. Much the same can be said

of SMIT Rebras and its fast-growing activities

in Brazil.

SMIT Terminals achieved five successful con-

tract renewals in 2008. In addition, three new

contracts (in Pakistan, Gabon and Kuwait) com-

menced last year and will contribute for a full

year in 2009.

Returning to SMIT Salvage, there is a certain

baseline requirement for emergency services

and this will continue regardless of recession.

During the first quarter of this year, we reached

a settlement for services rendered to the semi-

submersible rig ‘Thunderhorse’ in the Gulf of

Mexico in mid-2005.

As for SMIT Transport & Heavy Lift, we expect

activities to unfold at a slower rate in 2009 but

the Division is still expected to perform well.

Transport’s stability has been enhanced follow-

ing the entry into service of three additional

L-Class vessels - all engaged in long-term con-

tracts. In the case of Heavy Lift, less pressure

in the market for our sheerlegs and an easing

of yard prices offered a window for a lifetime

extension and upgrading of ‘Taklift 4’. This is

scheduled for later this year.

To conclude, SMIT’s major newbuilding pro-

gramme peaked during 2008. We will start

ordering again when the conditions are right,

but we will spend carefully in a market where

cash is king. Over the next year or so, it will not

be enough to survive recession. The winners

will be ready to spring into action when a new

phase of business expansion begins. SMIT will

be ready to respond.

Finally, I was very encouraged by the positive

atmosphere at our Annual General Meeting.

Some 70% of shares were represented. We

secured a firm mandate to continue the

progress achieved in recent years.

Ben Vree

Chief Executive Officer

RECORD RESULT IN 2008:RECOGNISING OPPORTUNITIES IN A TIME OF DOWNTURN

Of all SMIT Divisions, SMIT Harbour Towage

is most influenced by the global downturn,

as its activities are linked directly to world

trade. The flow of international trade, at the

close of the first quarter 2009, was down by

15-20% on the level just 12 months earlier.

Loek Kullberg, Managing Director of SMIT’s

Harbour Towage Division, says: “In terms of

shipping capacity, we have seen around 500

container vessels laid up. There are also sub-

stantial reductions in the shipment of bulk

commodities and fewer car carriers are now

operating. As a result, leading European ports,

such as Rotterdam and Antwerp, have seen

the number of vessel calls decline by around

15% over the past year. Now we are seeing the

impact in the Far East region, with levels falling

in Singapore and Taiwan, together with China.

“In response, SMIT Harbour Towage is employ-

ing a commercial strategy based on flexible

deployment. We have a major advantage in

this area, as our extensive newbuilding pro-

gramme has produced a flexible, standard-

ised fleet. This makes it much easier to tailor

deployment to demand.”

New developments in the harbour towage

sector in recent months include the January 1

start-up of SMIT’s joint venture with Taipei-

based tug operator Kueen Yang. The company

has a long-term contract with the Taipei Port

Authority for the provision of harbour towage

services.

Operations at Taipei centre on this port’s

newly-built container facilities. Major user of

the port is Evergreen, which has a 50% stake in

the Taipei Port Container Terminal. Currently,

this new container terminal has six berths, but

this will grow to up to 14 over the next few

years.

SMIT has entered into a 50:50 joint venture

with Kueen Yang, establishing SMIT-Kueen

Yang Towage. The tug fleet has grown from

three to five. Kueen Yang operates three ASD

tugs. In early February they were joined by

‘Union 9’, a Voith-Schneider tug redeployed

from Antwerp. The fifth tug is the 65 tonnes

bollard pull Robert Allan design Voith-

Schneider tug ‘Smit Trafalgar’. The latter arrived

from Liverpool on the deck of a heavy lift

vessel in mid-April. This reduced the Liverpool

fleet from six to five tugs and the Antwerp-

based fleet from 12 to 11, in response to the

fall in demand, and, simultaneously, launched

the new joint venture at Taipei.

All five Taipei tugs are now known as the “SKY”

tugs (SKY 111, 211, 311, 401 and 501). The SMIT

Kueen Yang joint venture is managed from

Taiwan, under the leadership of Taiwanese

General Manager Vincent Tsai.

Loek Kullberg comments: “Joint ventures are

crucial to the achievement of SMIT Harbour

Towage’s goals. Increasingly, our custom-

ers want local expertise combined with the

resources and know-how of an international

operator. There is a strong market interest in

such combinations. Therefore, we are inter-

ested in forging alliances with local partners

of quality. We see this as an important way

forward.”

Elsewhere in the world, the first quarter of

2009 saw SMIT’s acquisition of a tug opera-

tor at Prince Rupert, in northern Canada. This

purchase, completed in mid-March, involved

the 100% acquisition of Minette Bay Ship

Docking Ltd, operators of three ASD tugs at

Minette Bay. These tugs serve the important

Ridley Island Coal Terminal. The acquisition

has enhanced SMIT Marine Canada’s harbour

towage activities on the Canadian west coast.

The Minette Bay tugs consist of two 45 tonnes

bollard pull units and a newly-built 80 tonnes

bollard pull Robert Allan design tug. It is pos-

sible that SMIT may deploy more tugs to

Canada. ‘Smit Mississippi’ has already moved

to Canada, from Panama, and may join ‘Smit

Clyde’ (ex Rotterdam) at Vancouver for harbour

towage and escort duties.

In Brazil, SMIT Rebras is now operating a fleet

of 14 newbuildings in four ports, with a further

four new tugs scheduled for delivery over the

next few months.

SMIT Rebras began its operations in the ports

of Santos and São Luis one year ago. It is now

also operating in Paranaguá and Sepetiba. It is

hoped to commence harbour towage activi-

ties shortly at a fifth port, Vitória. A total of

12 45-tonnes bollard pull ASD Robert Allan

design tugs are now operating. In addition, the

second in a series of six 65 tonnes bollard pull

ASDs was recently delivered.

SMIT’s longest joint venture association in

the field of harbour towage is represented

by Keppel SMIT Towage (KST), a partner-

ship between Keppel Shipyard and SMIT in

Singapore. KST has a fleet of tugs operating

at the port of Singapore and in Singaporean

waters, together with more tugs busy at a

series of Malaysian ports. In early 2000, KST

concluded an operational merger with Maju

Maritime. The current fleet consists of 45 tugs;

this is set to grow to 65 with the delivery of

additional newbuildings.

JOINT vENTURES PLAy kEy ROLE IN SMIT HARbOUR TOWAGE ExPANSION

Harbour tugs ‘Texelbank,’Smit Hudson’ and ‘Smit Mersey’ assist crane vessel ‘Hermod’ at Keppel Verolme, Europoort.

SMIT Kueen Yang’s ‘SKY 501’ during

her first assistance at Taipei Port.

www.smit.com3

tug magazine

URS tugs remain busy in Belgian ports,

despite a decline in traffic levels in recent

months. URS Managing Director Peter

Vierstraete says: “In terms of volume, calls

are down by around 20% on the same

period in 2008.”

Newbuildings continue to join the URS fleet

and the opportunity has been taken to dispose

of two of the older twin-screw tugs. There has

also been some redeployment, with one tug

from Zeebrugge and another from Antwerp

now working at Terneuzen.

The last of the newbuildings delivered during

2008 were the 65 tonnes bollard pull ‘Union

Topaz’ and ‘Union Onyx’, from the Armon Yard

at Navia, northern Spain. These tugs are sisters

of ‘Union Sapphire’ and ‘Union Diamond’,

delivered by Armon in 2003.

At Zeebrugge, the four vessels in the Onyx

series operate in the outer port. They were

joined in 2007 by the two 65 tonnes bollard

pull 25 meter tugs ‘Union Jade’ and ‘Union

Amber’. The latter tugs are highly manoeu-

vrable. Recently, they switched to Antwerp to

assist some of the largest container vessels in

the world, including ‘MSC Beatrice’ and ‘MSC

Danit’ (the latter, at 14,500 TEU, is the largest

of all). ‘Union Jade’ and ‘Union Amber’ are ideal

tugs for operating in the Antwerp Locks.

Following this switch to Antwerp, there are

now five tugs covering Zeebrugge’s inner and

outer ports: ‘Union Coral’, ‘Union Pearl’, ‘Union

Onyx’ and ‘Union Topaz’, with ‘Union Emerald’

moving to this port from Antwerp.

Peter Vierstraete adds: “We have also intro-

duced a new 3200 series - 65 tonnes bollard

pull - tugs at Antwerp. Two of the 33 meter

Robert Allan Rampart tugs, ‘Union Kodiak’ and

‘Union Grizzly’, arrived during 2007. They were

joined this March by ‘Union Panda’, built at

Dearson Yard, near Istanbul. Another Turkish-

built 3200 tug, ‘Union Koala’, is due for delivery

in June.

More newbuildings are to follow for URS. The

first of a series of four AHTS vessels will be

delivered by Armon of Spain in October. The

remaining three will join the fleet during 2010

- the last in December of next year.

URS’ ocean towage fleet had a very busy 2008.

All seven vessels operated at very close to

100% utilisation (allowing for scheduled dry-

dockings). The ‘Alphonse Letzer’ was occupied

in Indian waters, under con-

tract to Allseas, whilst ‘Union

Manta’ has been operating

in the Gulf of Mexico for

Heerema. The ‘President

Hubert’, another anchorhan-

dler, operated for six months

on the spot market after

a first half for Heerema

and has just commenced

another contract for the

same client. Meanwhile,

recent assignments for

‘Union Diamond’ included

the tow of a large pontoon laden with three

cranes, from St. Petersburg to Yuzni.

Salvage activities during the final quarter of

last year included the refloating of the con-

tainership ‘Kota Lagu’, following a grounding

in the Schelde. This operation was performed

in late October. Other salvage activities last

year included the refloating of the small

product carrier ‘Rubino’, grounded on a beach

at Flushing.

OPTIMISING TUG DEPLOyMENTS IN THE bELGIAN PORTS

The global economic downturn had no

detectable effect on the level of salvage

activity in the first quarter of 2009, although

the workload was somewhat lighter than

usual during the Winter period in North West

Europe. The demand for salvage services

was also relatively low in the African and

Asian regions. In contrast, several significant

projects were undertaken in the US Gulf area.

Abel Dutilh, Managing Director of SMIT’s

Salvage Division, says: “Naturally, the advent

of recession worldwide will impact on all ship-

ping markets and that includes salvage, but

it is difficult to predict whether this will have

a positive or negative influence. On the one

hand, less shipping traffic should mean fewer

casualties, on the basis of simple logic. On the

other hand, tough trading conditions put a

premium on cost-saving measures. Reductions

in maintenance and repair levels, for example,

may well increase the salvage workload. It will

be interesting to see how things develop.”

SMIT Salvage saw several substantial salvage

and pollutant recovery operations start in

April. In North West Europe, work began in the

English Channel to recover around 300 tonnes

of intermediate fuel oil from the wreck of the

general cargo vessel ‘Ice Prince’. This vessel was

lost in 2008 when her deck cargo of timber

shifted. This operation was diverless - using

the remote-controlled ROLS hot-tap/pumping

system.

In the US Gulf, preparations are in hand for the

project to remove the wreck of jack-up ‘Pride

Wyoming’, a rig lost in 2008 during Hurricane

Ike. ‘Taklift 1’ is ready to start this project.

Also in the US Gulf, oil was removed from the

wreck of ‘ENSCO 74’. This rig was also a victim

of hurricane Ike, it drifted around 90 miles

before sinking. SMIT Salvage later removed oil

from the wreck.

Still in the United States, the Donjon-SMIT alli-

ance is now evaluating the US Coast Guard’s

long-awaited Salvage Regulations. Abel Dutilh

says: “In order to function as salvors, we must

satisfy a series of 15 criteria. We are weigh-

ing up the implications of the rules for our

emergency response coverage on the Eastern

and Western Seaboards and the US Gulf. Our

options for further development, within the

joint venture, include the deployment of addi-

tional equipment and resources in the United

States and expanding our alliance to include

other partners.”

SMIT’s associations with government agen-

cies around the world include the operation

of Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs). In South

Africa, SMIT Salvage obtained a one-year

extension to its standby salvage contract in

2008. SMIT has now responded to the National

Department of Transport “request for interest”

for a new, long-term contract. This agreement

for ETV cover is likely to be awarded by

September of this year.

NEW SALvAGE PROJECTS NOW STARTING UP

Container vessel ‘MSC Beatrice’ assisted by URS tugs at arrival in Antwerp.

The 65 tonnes bollard pull ‘Union Onyx’ joined the URS

fleet at the end of 2008.

The ‘Union Manta’ is operating in

the Gulf of Mexico for Heerema.

SMIT Rebras tugs ‘Smit Tupinamba’ and ‘Smit Tupari’ assisted bulk carrier ‘Cape Triumph’ in the Brazilian port of Sepetiba.

SMIT Terminals has seen only a minimal

impact on its activities as a result of world

recession. In part this is a reflection of the

specialised nature of the sector and the

long-term commercial agreements typical

of this market.

Loek Kullberg, Managing Director of SMIT’s

Terminals Division, says: “The key issue is the

inherent resilience of the international oil and

gas industry. The effects of the downturn have

been less marked, so far, than in other sectors.

As a result our activity levels at the terminals

have held up well over the past half-year and

we are continuing our drive to secure new

contracts.”

One recent new contract relates to Tangguh,

Indonesia, where BP and local partner BP

MIGAS are operating a gas export facility. SMIT

Terminals, in cooperation with local partner

Samudera, now has four tugs at Tangguh -

two 2810 units (‘Smit Monserrat’ and ‘Smit

Cayman’) and two KST tugs (‘KST Sunrise’ and

‘KST Super’). They are assisting gas carriers call-

ing at the terminal.

Loek Kullberg adds: “The four tugs are front-

runners, operating under a contract of at least

six months. BP is building new tugs for this ter-

minal and a contract is to be let for the opera-

tion of a 20-strong fleet, including the tugs and

a range of support crafts, such as crew boats

and a pilot boat.”

June will see the start-up of SMIT Terminals’

Adriatic LNG offshore terminal support con-

tract, off Venice. Exxon Mobil is lead operator

for this significant project, working with part-

ners Qatar Petroleum and Edison SpA. SMIT

Terminals, in association with joint venture

partner Rimorchiatori Riuniti Panfido, is to pro-

vide towage support and related services. The

Adriatic LNG facility is the first of its kind. It will

store and regasify LNG to deliver 775,000 mcf/

day - equivalent to around 10% of total Italian

gas requirements.

SMIT Terminals regards the LNG sector as of

central importance to the future growth of its

operations. Consequently, SMIT will continue

to invest in new tugs specially equipped for

the gas terminal support role.

Two of the four tugs earmarked for Adriatic

LNG, ‘San Nicola AT’ and ‘San Francesco AT’,

were already on-scene at the beginning of the

second quarter. The remaining newbuildings,

‘San Marco AT’ and ‘San Georgio AT’, arrived in

May.

Last year saw SMIT Terminals achieve a number

of business successes. They included a new

contract for bunkering services in the Bahamas

and the provision of tug support at Port Qasim,

Pakistan. In addition, SMIT Terminals’ four-year

contract with Kuwait Oil Company, for sup-

port at KOC terminals, commenced during the

second half of the year.

SMIT TERMINALS CONTINUES TO UNFOLD GROWTH STRATEGy

In the Baltic region, SMIT Harbour Towage

and its joint venture partner, Towmar, are now

active in three ports. Towmar SMIT Baltic tugs

are operating at Klaipeda, in Lithuania, and

Ventspils and Liepãja in Latvia. The Klaipeda

operation employs five tugs, three tugs oper-

ate at Ventspils and there are also four tugs

based at Liepãja. There is an intention to

expand Towmar SMIT activities, involving

operations in Estonia and at St Petersburg.

The ‘San Nicola AT’, one of four newbuild tugs that will operate at the Adriatic LNG terminal in Italy.

2810 ASD tug ‘Smit Cayman’ is deployed in Indonesia.

SMIT Terminals also operates in Port Qasim, Pakistan.

‘Smit Amandla’ provides emergency response and coastal protection services in South Africa.

The 45 tonnes bollard pull ‘KST Sphere’ of joint venture Keppel SMIT Towage.

2810 ASD tug ‘Smit Dominica‘ is currently deployed in the Baltic.

www.smit.com5

tug magazine

FREEING ‘CRETE CEMENT’ FOLLOWING A GROUNDING IN OSLO FJORD

Misfortune overtook the cement carrier

‘Crete Cement’ on the night of November 19,

2008. The Nassau-registered vessel, built in

1980, had been converted to the role of self-

discharging bulk cement carrier in 2002.

Last November the vessel grounded on a

rocky bottom at Fagerstrand, near Oslo. The

vessel had been proceeding to her dedi-

cated discharge berth in Oslo Fjord, laden

with a cargo of 4,200 tonnes of cement.

An attempt to self refloat succeeded, but ‘Crete

Cement’ had suffered severe bottom damage

and had to be deliberately beached to avoid a

sinking. Most of her double bottom tanks were

opened and the engineroom was fully flooded.

This phase of the operation was carried out

under the supervision of the Norwegian

authorities. A tug from local salvor Bukser og

Bergung was in attendance and assisted in the

beaching.

SMIT Salvage, together with partner Bukser,

secured the contract to remove oil from the

casualty. ‘Crete Cement’s bunker tanks con-

tained around 130 tonnes of heavy fuel oil.

A salvage team was mobilised to the scene,

together with hot-tap equipment and a shal-

low water dive spread.

Weather conditions on scene were largely

favourable for the salvage. The grounding posi-

tion was at a sheltered location in the Fjord.

A concern was the possibility of snow and a

build up of ice on the main deck of a vessel,

given that it had a 19 degrees list and a 4

meter trim by the stern.

Work began on November 22. Despite the

very cold conditions, the bunker fuel was

pumpable. Furthermore, all bunker tanks

could be reached dry. The oil recovery opera-

tion was completed on November 28. The oil

was pumped to the ‘Sagavik’, a local lightering

tanker. Also in attendance was the Norwegian

support vessel ‘Big’.

Work then advanced to a second stage, with

SMIT Salvage awarded a contract for refloating

‘Crete Cement’. The refloating required heavy

lift assistance from a 600 tonnes capacity float-

ing sheerlegs. This phase began promptly on

November 29 and removal work was com-

pleted by December 16. The casualty was

delivered, in a safe condition, to her dedicated

berth in Oslo Fjord, where the discharge was

performed.

This refloating demanded an extensive pro-

gramme of diving, patching and pumping.

The refloating was achieved by a combination

of pumping and pressurisation of spaces. The

sheerlegs provided stability during the opera-

tion. It was calculated that around 400 tonnes

of lift was required - leaving 200 tonnes in

reserve, as a safety margin. The key to success

was to keep all cargo holds in a dry condition.

The challenges included the internal complex-

ity of this vessel, due to its conversion some

years previously. In addition, measures had

to be taken to ensure the safety of personnel

working on ‘Crete Cement’s listing and heavily

iced deck.

A cargo transfer operation was

undertaken to refloat the vessel.

Salvage activities in the Gulf of Mexico were

prominent in the SMIT Salvage workload

during March. The operations included a

Lloyd’s Form salvage, a ship-to-ship transfer

of an oil cargo and the subsea recovery of

pollutants from a sunken rig.

The LOF refloating in the US Gulf involved

the bulk carrier ‘Eltanin’, laden with a cargo of

44,000 tonnes of sulphur. ‘Eltanin’ grounded

off Sabine on March 1 and an inspection con-

firmed that a refloating would require a part

discharge of her cargo. Around 9,000 tonnes of

sulphur was lightered and a refloating attempt

on March 11 was successful. An underwater

survey revealed no major damage and the

part cargo was backloaded. ‘Eltanin’ then pro-

ceeded with her voyage to China.

March activities also involved the crude oil car-

rier ‘SKS Satilla’. This tanker was approaching

Galveston and preparing to lighter when she

developed an 8 degrees list. A SMIT Salvage

team performed an extensive ROV survey,

chartering in the Northern Canyon, a DP2 ROV

Support Vessel, for this purpose. The survey

found significant damage to the casualty’s

water ballast tanks. Consequently, a full ship-

to-ship (STS) transfer of the 150,000 dwt tank-

er’s cargo was performed under emergency

conditions. The STS was completed over a four-

day period. The project team was mobilised

from Houston and was reinforced by specialists

from Rotterdam.

SMIT analysed the track of ‘SKS Satilla’ and this

led to the discovery of the wreck of the drill rig

‘ENSCO 74’ - lost during Hurricane Ike last year.

The wreck was found in around 30 metres of

water. Subsequently, ENSCO awarded a con-

tract to remove oils from the wreck. SMIT’s

team hot-tapped into a number of tanks and

spaces and removed the oil.

March also saw SMIT Salvage commission a

newly-acquired NAPA ship design programme.

This software is used extensively by the emer-

gency response services of leading classifi-

cation societies, including Lloyd’s Register,

GL and DNV. A large population of vessels is

modelled in this system. NAPA’s benefits, in

a salvage context, include faster transfer of

data between owner, classification society and

salvor.

Refloating the ‘Ameglia Star’Other salvage tasks performed by SMIT

Salvage in the first quarter included the Lloyd’s

Form operation to refloat the ‘Ameglia Star’,

laden with 9,000 tonnes of marble blocks. The

vessel grounded off Tripoli and SMIT Salvage

secured a LOF 2000 contract on February 9.

A salvage team and equipment were des-

patched to the scene and lightering tonnage

was arranged, in readiness for a part discharge.

A refloating was achieved on the night of

February 18-19.

The salvage operations during the first quar-

ter followed a hectic conclusion to 2008, with

activities in the final quarter including three

refloatings. In the last days of the year SMIT

Salvage also responded to the plight of the

Chinese vessel ‘Golden 168’. This vessel called

for assistance, having been disabled when a

fire crippled her main engine. ‘Golden 168’ was

adrift off the South African coast, around 250

miles north-east of East London.

The engineroom fire occurred on December

24. In his reports, ‘Golden 168’s Master talked

of extreme weather on-scene, with swells of up

to 12 metres. His vessel was in extreme danger

- in ballast and rolling at up to 45 degrees in

the huge seas. At one stage, the sheer violence

of the vessel’s movement caused her aft crane

to break out of its cradle and crash into the

bridge.

The large salvage tug ‘Smit Amandla’ was

on station at East London at that time. ‘Smit

Amandla’ made best speed to the casualty. A

LOF 2000 salvage contract was agreed with

the owners. The tug arrived on location on

Christmas morning and connected up, despite

the severe conditions and ‘Golden 168’s vio-

lent roll. ‘Smit Amandla’ towed the casualty to

Durban. As they neared port a Salvage Master

and crew boarded the casualty by helicopter,

as the tow was handed over to another SMIT

vessel, ‘Pentow Service’. ‘Golden 168’ was ber-

thed safely and redelivered.

The three refloatings of grounded vessels in

the final quarter included the cement carrier

‘Crete Cement’. This vessel went aground in

Norwegian waters on November 19. ‘Crete

Cement’ was refloated with the assistance of

a floating sheerlegs and redelivered in mid-

December.

In addition, two LOF refloatings were achieved

during the fourth quarter. In early November

SMIT Salvage was contracted to assist the

bulk carrier ‘Vinalines Saigon’. This 1991-built

vessel had a cargo of 21,000 tonnes of logs.

The bulker grounded on a rocky ledge off

Owendo, Gabon. An inspection revealed that

she was aground along 50 metres of her for-

ward section. The forepeak was breached and

tidal. Salvage personnel were despatched

from The Netherlands and South Africa, while

SMIT Terminals’ Gabon base liaised with local

authorities and began preparations for a

refloating. The salvage team part-discharged

‘Vinalines Saigon’s log cargo. The casualty was

refloated on November 12 by a 110 tonnes bol-

lard pull tug. The bulker was redelivered and

salvage services terminated on November 17.

During October another LOF 2000 refloat-

ing ended in success. This involved the vessel

‘Grandiosa’, grounded on a sandbank in the

Parana River, Argentina. A SMIT team joined

forces with local partner UABL/Ultrapetrol to

lighter the vessel. The refloating was achieved

by the tug ‘Smit Jamaica’, mobilised from

Buenos Aires, with participation by the pusher

tugs ‘Alianza Rosario’ and ‘Cavalier VI’. This casu-

alty floated free on October 5 and was subse-

quently backloaded.

SMIT TEAMS PROvIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SALvAGE SERvICES

In the US Gulf, a salvage operation was executed for grounded

bulk carrier ‘MV Eltanin’ loaded with sulphur.

SMIT Salvage also undertook a salvage operation for the

‘SKS Satilla’ in the US Gulf’.

During late 2008 the United States Coast

Guard (USCG) published its long-awaited

OPA-90 Salvage and Marine Firefighting

Regulations. The final rule expands on exist-

ing regulations setting out new, highly

detailed Vessel Response Plan requirements

for tank vessels.

Under the new USCG salvage and marine

firefighting regulations, tank vessel owners

and operators are required to contract with a

recognised provider of salvage and firefighting

services. The selected contractor must meet

15 criteria, including 24-hour availability, a

track record of operational success, sufficient

up-front capital to support a salvage opera-

tion and an on-going commitment to drills and

exercises.

In late 2004 SMIT Salvage Americas, based in

Houston, Texas, and Donjon Marine, headquar-

tered in Hillside, New Jersey, came together in

a joint venture, Donjon-SMIT. This alliance was

formed for the specific purpose of providing

a full compliance and response service under

OPA-90 requirements. This service includes

salvage, firefighting and emergency lightering

response.

Donjon-SMIT now has headquarters at

Alexandria, Virginia, near Washington DC and

meets all requirements listed under the USCG

criteria for selection as a recognised salvage

services provider. Over the past five years,

Donjon-SMIT has expanded its coverage for

marine emergency response. The full service

range now includes casualty salvage, lighter-

ing, firefighting, environmental care, drills and

exercises.

Within the Donjon-SMIT alliance, several

Strategic Response Partners are now active.

They include Foss Maritime Company of

Seattle, national firefighting specialists Cudd

Well Control of Houston, Texas, and Moran

Towing Corporation of New York.

Donjon-SMIT’s three strategic partners contrib-

ute to a robust centre of excellence of OPA-90

services. Cudd Well Control maintains stock-

piles of air-mobile firefighting equipment at

centres in Texas, Oklahoma and Wyoming. Foss

Maritime operates a large fleet of modern tugs

on the US West Coast, from Southern California

to Alaska. Moran Towing is the largest provider

of tugs and barges on the US Eastern Seaboard

and Gulf Coast.

Donjon and SMIT have salvaged thousands

of vessels over the years. In recent times both

companies have been heavily engaged in sal-

vage and wreck clearance operations following

hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike. Their capacity

to mobilise large-scale resources, to respond

to natural disasters of such magnitude, is of

crucial importance. Each Donjon-SMIT salvage

operation is managed in full compliance with

all applicable Federal, State and local regula-

tory frameworks - with environmental protec-

tion always the key motivator.

ENHANCING TOTAL COMPLIANCE SERvICES FOR OPA-90 SALvAGE

SMIT Salvage successfully refloated bulk carrier ‘Vinalines Saigon’ that had grounded on a rocky edge off Gabon.

General cargo vessel ’Ameglia Star’, laden with 9400 tonnes of marble blocks, grounded near the Tripoli port, Libya.

www.smit.com7

tug magazine

annually. This is a growing market and the

modules are getting larger and heavier. When

re-engined, ‘Taklift 4’ will mobilise faster to

locations worldwide. Another benefit will be

the ability to dispense with dual lifts in almost

all circumstances.

The future work prospects also include the

decommissioning of North Sea offshore

structures. This will form a core element of

SMIT’s future workload in the heavy lift sector.

Decommissioning is set to increase and will

remain at a high level for around 20 years.

Installations now in the North Sea total just

over 1,400 production facilities, serving 444

fields. Under the Convention for the Protection

of the Marine Environment of the North East

Atlantic, 1998, all platforms (with very rare

exceptions) must be removed when produc-

tion ends. New activities in this market already

include the dismantling of very large struc-

tures in sheltered areas. One example is the

‘Frigg’ jacket, undertaken for Aker at Stord,

Norway.

‘Taklift 4’ will also play a central role in SMIT’s

offshore windfarm construction activities. The

sheerlegs will be required for the installation

of substations, jackets and gravity-base foun-

dations. Construction timeframes in this area

are now moving from single season to multi-

season programmes.

SMIT COMPLETES HEAvy LIFT SERIES FOR FRIGG JACkET DEMOLITION

The first quarter of this year saw SMIT

Heavy Lift complete an extensive pro-

gramme of inshore lifts required for the

demolition of the ‘ Frigg’ platform jacket

at Stord, Norway. The sheerlegs ‘Taklift 4’

(1,600 tonnes lift capacity) carried out these

lifts on behalf of Aker Stord, main contrac-

tors to Total for the demolition project.

The demolition took place at a deepwater fjord

location, adjacent to the Aker Stord yard. The

solution developed for this project involved

the tow of the jacket structure to the loca-

tion, with a waterdepth of 92 metres. SMIT

Heavy Lift was awarded the contract in mid-

2008. ‘Taklift 4’ began work in October and the

project team was on-scene until completion in

late March. The scope of work included lifting

the jacket’s four (65 m x 13.7 m x 10.9 m) bal-

last tanks ashore - each weighing 1,100 tonnes

- together with a number of large, heavy sec-

tions involving weights of up to 1,200 tonnes.

The heaviest lifts and transport from jacket to

shore involved the two (33 m x 11 m x 14 m)

topsides.

Aker had responsibility for cutting opera-

tions and employed a diamond wire-cutting

system. SMIT’s main role was to lift a total of

23 sections ashore. The total weight lifted was

around 14,000 tonnes. The Frigg jacket’s 967

tonnes module support frame (64 m x 26.5 m x

17 m) and the initial two sections were cut and

lifted dry. ‘Taklift 4’ was equipped with inter-

nal lifting tools and hydraulic shackles for this

assignment. The sheerlegs was rigged with the

30 meter fly-jib, the big lifts requiring the use

of spreader beams. The remaining nine sec-

tions were cut and connected up for lifting by

means of ROV. This entire operation was diver-

less. The sheerlegs lifted each jacket section

and transported it in the hooks the four miles

to Aker Stord’s Eldoy Quay.

Windfarm projects‘Taklift 4’ has also played a key role in a number

of windfarm-related works in recent months. In

2008 the large sheerlegs installed a jacket and

topsides for a transformer station required for

the Doti Alpha Ventus project, off Borkum. The

client was the Hochtief-Bilfinger Berger joint

venture.

The sheerlegs returned to the Doti Alpha

Ventus windfarm in early April this year, for a

second phase of work. This involves the plac-

ing of six tripod-type turbine foundations

during the April-May period. This work forms

part of an extensive offshore windfarm trials

programme - involving comparative tests of

jacket, monopile and tripod solutions in an

operational environment.

SMIT Transport is also involved in windfarm

projects. ‘Smit Anambas’ is now under char-

ter to the Danish contracting joint venture,

Aarsleff & Bilfinger Berger for the transporta-

tion of turbine foundations for the Rodsand 2

Windfarm project, offshore Denmark. This is a

330-day assignment.

‘Giant 4’, meanwhile, has a 220-day project

for another Danish windfarm, the Sprøgo

development to the west of Copenhagen. The

large semi-submersible barge mobilised in

April to a Polish fabrication yard at

The ‘Smit Anambas’ loaded with wind turbine

foundations for windfarm Rodsand 2.

‘Giant 4’ acted as offshore lifting platform for the installation

of the Hooksiel windfarm turbines.

‘Taklift 4’ during the dismantling of the Frigg Jacket in Norway.

‘Taklift 4’ unloading modules

from ‘Giant 3’ for installation

on to FPSO ‘P53’.

‘Taklift 4’ performing wreck removal activities on

the Scheldt River. In total 38 wrecks were removed.

The installation of modules on to FPSO ‘P52’ in Brazil by ‘Taklift 4’ and ‘Taklift 6’.

‘Taklift 4’ - well-known in both the marine

contracting and salvage communities

worldwide - is to undergo a major refur-

bishment. This 1,600 tonnes lift capacity

sheerlegs was built in 1981, at the yard

of Verolme Heusden. The sheerlegs was

ordered specifically for salvage and wreck

removal work. ‘Taklift 4’, now in its third

decade of service, has also demonstrated its

capabilities in offshore construction work,

bridge-building and other civil works with a

marine component.

The big sheerlegs has enjoyed a remarkable

career. The highlights range from the refloating

following the tragic loss of the ferry ‘Herald of

Free Enterprise’ to a long series of FPSO inte-

gration lifts in more recent times.

The ‘Taklift 4’ upgrading has been designed

to maximise the capacities and capabilities of

A-frame and fly-jib. This will result in a signifi-

cant increase in workability. The upgrade is

to be undertaken by Huisman. The sheerlegs

will enter the Huisman yard at Schiedam on

August 1 and the A-frame will be removed.

The A-frame is to have a new mid-section and

the A-frame blocks are to be upgraded, from

400 tonnes to 700 tonnes. The upgrading also

includes a conversion to diesel-electric propul-

sion. The vessel will also be fitted with new

electrical systems and controls.

The upgrading programme aims to return

‘Taklift 4’ to service with SMIT’s fleet before the

end of this year. On leaving Huisman,

Schiedam, the sheerlegs will mobilise

for Brazil. ‘Taklift 4’ is scheduled for a

heavy lift programme required during

the construction of the ‘P57’ FPSO. This

follows similar assignments involving

the ‘P52’ and ‘P53’ semisubmersible-

type FPSOs. The ‘P57’ heavy lifts are due

to commence during the first quarter

2010. The project content is estimated

at 30 days.

‘Taklift 4’ was designed by Bureau Den Boer.

The sheerlegs was originally equipped with

a 50 meter fly-jib (300 tonnes capacity).

Two years later, Huisman-Itrec con-

structed a new, 16.5 meter fly-jib

with 600 tonnes capacity, to meet

the needs of the “Wreck Removal

Westerschelde” project works. This

company also provided a new

30 meter fly-jib in 1993. This was

required by ‘Taklift 4’ to tackle instal-

lation lifts for the aircraft carrier

Charles de Gaulle’s nuclear power

plants. When this fly-jib was in use,

side pontoons provided additional

stability. In 1997, a hull widening

project dispensed with the need for

stabilisers.

‘Taklift 4’ is one of four sheerlegs in

the SMIT

Heavy Lift fleet. The

others are ‘Taklift 6’

(1,200 tonnes

capacity), ‘Taklift 7’

(1,200 tonnes) and

‘Taklift 1’ (800 tonnes).

‘Taklift 4’s recent

workload includes the

removal of the ‘P14’

platform in 2008, the

wreck removal of the ‘Tricolor’ in 2004 and the

removal of hazards to navigation in the Scheldt

River during the 2005-06 period.

The ‘Taklift 4’ refurbishment represents a sub-

stantial investment. A 20-year life extension

will be achieved. ‘Taklift 4’ will then continue

to play a major role in maintaining synergy

between SMIT’s operating units engaged in

salvage, wreck removal, marine projects and

offshore and windfarm construction.

Looking ahead, the upgraded sheerlegs

has good prospects in the FPSO installa-

tions market worldwide. Around 30 Floating

Production System orders are expected

MAJOR UPGRADING SCHEDULED FOR SHEERLEGS ‘TAkLIFT 4’

The impact of global downturn is being felt

in all sectors. Day rates for vessels in the spot

market are in decline in Asia. The position

is somewhat better in the European region

- rates have remained virtually unchanged,

so far. In SMIT’s case, a large number of

its vessels are on long-term charter and,

as such, are somewhat insulated from the

negative developments in the market.

Abel Dutilh, Managing Director of SMIT’s

Transport & Heavy Lift Division, says: “So far,

we have been largely unaffected, but time is a

crucial issue. Much depends on how long this

downturn lasts. It is impossible to predict the

duration of the recession and the longer term

implications. Given the size of SMIT’s fleet, ves-

sels return from time to time and it is question-

able whether 2008 rates can be reached when

negotiating fresh employment.

“All that can be said, at present, is that we now

see some adverse impact in Asia, little or no

change in the North Sea region and a very

minor impact in Latin America. Employment

for the sheerlegs has been steady so far this

year. ‘Taklift 4’ will be the latest sheerlegs to

undergo upgrading. The work will begin in

August, for completion by the year’s end.

Allowing time out for refurbishment and

upgrading, sheerlegs utilisation levels have

held up well. ‘Taklift 7’, for example, is fully

booked until the end of the Summer. Only

‘Taklift 6’ is still available for employment.”

As for the large barges, ‘Smit Anambas’ and

‘Giant 4’ have contracts for the rest of 2009.

‘Giant 2’ and ‘Giant 3’ both recently completed

assignments and are now available for fresh

employment.

Abel Dutilh adds: “There has been little project

activity so far this year, although a lot of pre-

paratory work is now under way for the huge

Venice Flood Barrier scheme. Other major

projects are in prospect. They include the

second Coen Tunnel at Amsterdam - involving

the tow-out and placement of tunnel elements

- and the marine-related activities for construc-

tion of the new Panama Canal locks, on behalf

of the Bechtel/Mitsubishi combination.

“SMIT Marine Projects is busy with prepara-

tions for the 2010-12 period. We have good

expectations on this front. As for SMIT Subsea,

we see an impact from recession but the

Rotterdam based Subsea Europe business unit

has integrated very smoothly following the

acquisition and is sure to make progress over

the next couple of years.

“Looking ahead, there are some signs of a

light at the end of the tunnel. If recovery takes

hold later this year, or in early 2010, the overall

impact of this downturn could be relatively

moderate. If the recession proves more per-

sistent, however, and begins to impact the

offshore oil and gas industry worldwide, the

picture could become bleaker. In our case,

SMIT has an ample cushion from a succession

of good years and we look forward to better

times.”

LONG TERM CONTRACTS OFFER SOME INSULATION FROM DOWNTURN

In 2004, ‘Taklift 4’ was involved in the wreck removal of the ‘Tricolor’.

www.smit.com9

tug magazine

The removal of the ‘K10-V’ platform in the North Sea by ‘Taklift 4’.

The sheerlegs also removed the ‘P14-A’ platform from the North Sea.

Work is about to begin on the change out of

‘Smit Borneo’s crane. This is the latest phase

in a vessel upgrading programme that

began three years ago with renewal of this

vessel’s accommodation, together with a

programme of work in the engine room.

A new Liebherr BOSS 14000-500D Litronic off-

shore marine crane is en route to the SMIT Yard

in Singapore, where the crane change out will

take place in June and July. The yard has been

prepared to receive this large diesel hydraulic

crane, with its 60 m boom. ‘Smit Borneo’s exist-

ing Liebherr LG1600 crane and pedestal will

be removed. A new pedestal will be welded in

place at Keppel Shipyard in Singapore. For this

operation the barge needs to be drydocked.

Upon completion of this operation the BOSS

14000 crane will then be installed in the SMIT

Yard in Singapore.

The new crane was ordered from Liebherr,

Austria, in 2007. It has a lift capacity of 500

tonnes and an outreach on the two block main

hoist of 54 metres and 60.7 metres on the

auxiliary hook.

‘Smit Borneo’ is a non-self-propelled off-

shore construction and accommodation

barge. In 2006, the vessel’s accommodation

was renewed and extended, with maximum

capacity increasing from 100 to 152. In addi-

tion, the work in the engine room included the

replacement of generators and piping systems,

together with the installation of a new air con-

ditioning system and new internal fi-fi sprinkler

system. Also all the asbestos, originating from

the 80’ies was removed from the barge.

In recent years ‘Smit Borneo’ has been deployed

mainly in Indian waters, providing hook-up

support for Global Industries and, more recently,

to Leighton. This well-utilised barge was built in

1981 and was acquired by SMIT in 1998, follow-

ing the purchase of Land & Marine.

The ‘Smit Borneo’s crane change out will

be completed in mid-July. The vessel will

then mobilise for the installation of the FSO

‘Puteri Songkhla’, in the B17/C-19 zone in the

Thailand/Malaysia Joint Development Area.

The scope of work includes piling and the

installation of mooring legs and hook-up

assistance. The time charter is with Franklin

Offshore International Pte Ltd, who have been

awarded the installation contract from M3

Energy (CPOC as final client).

The beginning of April saw the jack-up

barge ‘Lisa-A’ ready to load for the Rhyl

Flats Windfarm project, in UK waters. SMIT

Marine Projects has a contract from Rhyl

Flats Windfarm LTD for the installation of 25

turbines of the Siemens 3.6 MW type.

‘Lisa-A’ mobilised at Mostyn for the first of the

voyages to location. This cycle of loading and

installation will continue until July. ‘Lisa-A’ is

supported by three tugs, including the two

SMIT B-Class tugs ‘Smit Bever’ and ‘Smit Bison’.

The Rhyl Flats loading at Mostyn begins with

the ‘Lisa-A’ jacked up. The three blades (in a sup-

port cradle) are loaded one by one, followed by

the nacelle. The 60 metres long tower is loaded

in one section. With loading completed, the

‘Lisa-A’ is jacked down and is ready to proceed

to location at High Water. Sailing time is around

five hours. On arrival the jack-up is positioned

(by four-point mooring system) alongside the

foundation pile. Over a 24-hour period the

mast, nacelle and blades are lifted into position,

prior to a return to Mostyn and the commence-

ment of the next cycle, weather permitting.

SMIT Marine Projects also carries out mainte-

nance works required by windfarm mainte-

nance contractors in UK waters and elsewhere.

One recent assignment called for the change-

out of a gearbox module for a wind turbine in

Liverpool Bay.

Returning to the European region, SMIT Marine

Projects has reached an agreement with Italian

contracting group GLF for an extension of

engineering and management services pro-

vided for the installation of caissons at Venice.

These are required for the Venice Lagoon flood

protection works. GLF has a contract for instal-

lation works at two of the Lagoon’s three inlets.

Installation is due to commence in 2012. The

Venice Lagoon project is one of the most ambi-

tious civil engineering projects yet undertaken

in Europe. Severe flooding in areas of the city

during 2008 provided a stark reminder of its

importance to the future of Venice.

SMIT MARINE PROJECTS COMMENCES RHyL FLATS WINDFARM CONTRACT

Swinjousci, producing the seven gravity bases

required for the Sprøgo project. Gravity base

weight ranges from 1550 to 1900 tonnes and

single voyage will deliver the seven concrete

structures to Danish waters.

‘Giant 4’ took part in the turbine installation

programme for the Hooksiel Windfarm project

during the second half of last year. The big

barge acted as an offshore lifting platform,

being equipped with a DEMAG CC6800 large

mobile crane.

Following on from this project, ‘Giant 4’ was

chartered by Saipem UK for the transport of

an offshore structure from Morocco to Point

Noire, Congo.

Meanwhile, ‘Giant 3’ has returned to its home

port of Rotterdam, following the completion

of a second voyage for Interbarges S.A., trans-

porting river barges from New Orleans to the

Parana River, near Buenos Aires. ‘Giant 2’ is now

at Batam, having completed two shipments

of cargo barges from Batam to Colombo, Sri

Lanka.

SMIT’s four 84 metres newbuild barges are now

on their way from China to Rotterdam. The URS

tug ‘Alphonse Letzer’ is engaged in a dual tow,

with ‘Smitbarge 8’ loaded on ‘Smitbarge 6’ and

‘Smitbarge 9’ on ‘Smitbarge 7’. The convoy is

expected to arrive at Rotterdam in mid-June.

These newbuildings are to be deployed in

North-West Europe.

In the North Sea, ‘Smit Kamara’ - under charter

to Shell for five years as an offshore platform

maintenance vessel - continues its programme.

During the Summer season, the vessel will

switch from the Dutch to UK sector.

The Diving Support Vessel (DSV) ‘Smit Orca’

recently completed a an 18-month charter

with Angola Drilling Co. The DSV has now

moved to another charter, for more work in

Angolan waters.

‘Smit Orca’ is on charter to Pride Foramer and

the immediate task was to clean the rig ‘Pride

Venezuela’s below waterline inlets.

UPGRADE OF ‘SMIT bORNEO’ CONTINUES

www.smit.com11

tug magazine

The first tripod foundation for the Doti Alpha Ventus windfarm in the sling of sheerlegs ‘Taklift 4’.

DSV ‘Smit Orca’ and oil platform ‘Pride Venezuela’ in Angola.

‘Giant 3’ - loaded with river barges - on the Parana River.

Ocean towage tug ‘Alphonse Letzer’ en route with the newly built Smitbarges.

In 2005 ‘Smit Borneo’ was involved in the installation of a boatlanding at the Balal platform, Iran.

‘Lisa A’ during the installation of a Rhys Flats wind turbine.

The ‘Lisa-A’ during the installation of a monopile

foundation for a wind turine.

Components for the Rhys Flats windfarm in Mostyn, where they are loaded on to jack-up ‘Lisa-A’.

The current global financial crisis presents

challenging economic times, but SMIT

Amandla Marine has maintained its appe-

tite for future business opportunities. This is

illustrated in the proactive way in which the

company has pursued a tender concerning

a contract for the “L-Class” 75 tonnes bol-

lard pull ‘Smit Lombok’ with a major South

African client.

The anticipated arrival of the anchor handler in

South African waters later this year, will rep-

resent a significant addition to SMIT Amandla

Marine’s offshore fleet, and will reduce the

average age of the SMIT owned fleet in this

region. The new long term contract will also

send a powerful signal, demonstrating SMIT’s

continuing commitment to South Africa.

Meanwhile, SMIT Amandla Marine is also ten-

dering for a major diving and subsea services

contract with client PetroSA. Paul Maclons,

Managing Director of SMIT Amandla Marine,

says: “For this three-year contract we have

submitted a joint bid with SMIT Subsea Africa,

utilising our BBBEE credentials. The market

for diving services has of late been very chal-

lenging, not only in South Africa, but also glo-

bally. Successful award of this tender to SMIT

Amandla Marine would ensure the long-term

deployment of one of SMIT Subsea’s saturation

diving systems.”

More immediately, work is about to start on

a new assignment for SAPREF (South Africa

Petroleum Refineries). Paul Maclons adds: “We

will be very busy in Durban in June with the

planned SBM change-out for SAPREF- replac-

ing the existing 25 year old SBM with a new

state of the art one.” Another initiative cur-

rently in progress for SAPREF is the construc-

tion of a state of the art 100 ton bollard pull

newbuilding with diving capability. She is

scheduled for delivery in June 2010 and will

release the ‘Smit Madura’, a very capable 100

tonnes bollard pull anchor handler, into the

fleet of SMIT Amandla Marine.

Continuity of bunker provision services in

the Port of Richards Bay will be assured over

the coming months, with the deployment

of the SMIT Amandla Marine gasoil bunker

barge ‘Marine Excellence’ to replace the ‘Smit

Bongani’ whilst this bunker barge is being

double hulled in Durban as per MARPOL

Convention requirements. The ‘Smit Bongani’ is

scheduled to return to service in Richards Bay

during August 2009. Maintenance work will

also be done in drydock as these barges work

24hrs a day on a continuous basis, thus posing

enormous challenges in effecting repairs and

maintenance for our technical personnel.

Government contractsTwo major government contracts are sched-

uled for renewal within the next 18 months

and SMIT Amandla Marine is hard at work to

remain well positioned to continue its current

provision of services.

Paul Maclons says: “Our current contract with

the National Department of Transport (NDOT),

for emergency response and coastline protec-

tion, expires in August 2009. In the Expression

of Interest submitted to the NDOT, we have

proposed a two-tug solution. We also have the

longer term prospect of a new, South African-

built Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV).”

The second major Government contract

due for renewal in April 2010, is a five-year

Manning and Management contract for the

fleet of vessels owned by the Department of

Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

Currently, SMIT Amandla Marine acts on

behalf of the Department’s Marine and

Coastal Management Branch in managing

this fleet, which has three components. The

first is the Antarctica and Islands supply vessel

‘S.A. Agulhas’ - now earmarked for replacement

in 2012 with a newbuilding. The SMIT Vessel

Management Services technical department

has integrated itself in the newbuild project

thereby ensuring our client is supplied a vessel

which is fit for purpose- achieving DEAT’s

objectives economically but effectively.

There are also three research vessels involved

in this contract, providing data used by the

Government to enable policy and legislation

with respect to fishing quotas, in consultation

with the Council for Scientific and Industrial

Research and various university and research

institutions. The third fleet consists of four

patrol vessels (one offshore and three inshore)

tasked with an anti-poaching role and general

protection of our marine resources.

Employee Wellness and SupportSMIT Amandla Marine enjoys a family culture,

where we look out for and strive to protect our

biggest asset - our employees. A key priority

for 2009 was identified as Employee Wellness,

a programme of support - particularly of

importance in these troubled economic times.

Paul Maclons says: “It is all too easy for people

to over-extend themselves financially in the

current climate. We will continue our support

through counselling, meetings and group

workings to increase awareness of debt man-

agement options, positive lifestyle choices and

the avoidance of negative behaviour such as

alcohol and drug abuse. As a responsible and

caring employer, these issues if not identified,

corrected and supported can have a direct

bearing on employee stress levels, organisa-

tional performance and achievement.

“Meanwhile, we are reinforcing our response

to the global economic pressure by working

smarter and more efficiently and by managing

costs, whilst maintaining and strengthening

client relationships and ensuring goodwill.

Naturally, increasing our value proposition

to clients is a goal that has taken on an even

greater significance given the financial crisis.

For example, one of the vessels we operate for

Client De Beers was no longer required under

an existing contract and this was switched

to service with Clipper Marine Services. As a

result of the switch our overall revenue flow is

maintained, whilst still servicing our clients”.

SMIT AMANDLA MARINE FOCUSSES ON bUSINESS SUSTAINAbILITy IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

During the Kodeco project in Indonesia, divers of

SMIT Subsea Africa assisted in the spool tie in from

the pipeline to the platform.

SMIT Subsea Europe recently completed

a 130-day contract for diving support

during the installation of new risers to the

‘Dhirubhai-1’ FPSO in the MA-D6 Field, in

the Krishna Godavari Basin off the east

coast of India.

This assignment follows a 2008 project involv-

ing similar services for the disconnection of the

FPSO ‘Uisge Gorm’, in the UK sector of the cen-

tral North Sea. SMIT Subsea Europe provided

diving services for Bluewater Energy/Amerada

Hess.

The water depth in the MA-D6 ranges from

1,100 to 1,400 metres. The ‘Dhirubhai-1’ FPSO

has an oil production capacity of 60,000 b/d,

oil storage capacity of 1.3 million bbls and a

gas production capacity of 9 million cu m/d.

The field is operated by Reliance Industries

Limitednetwerkproguest. Technip UK Ltd,

contractor for the flexible risers and flowlines,

subcontracted SMIT Subsea Europe to deliver

diving, survey support, ROV monitoring and

light construction services.

SMIT Subsea Europe secured the MA-D6

contract last October. Mobilisation began in

November and included the DP3 diving sup-

port vessel ‘EDT Protea’, outfitted with a Triton

XLX Workclass ROV. The project team success-

fully completed the activities last May.

SMIT Subsea Europe’s recent inshore activi-

ties include thruster removal and replacement

for the Allseas pipelay vessel ‘Solitaire’. The

removal was undertaken in February and the

replacement was completed during April.

Meanwhile, work continues on SMIT Subsea’s

project for anode installation for Rotterdam

quay walls, on behalf of the Port Authority.

During this 12-month contract, that started

last December, 8,000 anodes will be installed.

AFRICASMIT Subsea Africa recently completed an

assignment for Amerada Hess, working off-

shore Equatorial Guinea. An 8-man air diving

team was busy for six weeks on location at

the Okume oil field, completing three phases

of work. The initial task involved painting and

treatment of induction pipes beneath a plat-

form. The second was an IRM programme for

the ‘Ceiba’ SPM facility. The final task was the

release of a TLP’s (Tender Leg Platform) moor-

ing sheave pin.

SMIT Subsea Africa also successfully completed

the Java Pipeline repair project during the first

quarter. The client is TSMarine, with head client

Kodeco. This project concerned a damaged 16

inch pipeline in the channel between East Java

and Madura Island, Indonesia. This was a Nitrox

gas assignment, requiring a 21-strong team

mobilised to Singapore and working from the

DP2 vessel ‘REM Etive’.

This was a challenging assignment, carried out

in strong currents and “black water” bottom

conditions that had defeated two earlier con-

tractors. The work was brought to a successful

conclusion. A diamond wire-cutting machine

was used to remove the section of damaged

pipe. Two smart flanges were installed onto

the cut faces, together with the metrology

and installation of a spool piece to replace the

damaged section. Metrology and installation

was also required for a second closure spool.

SMIT Subsea Africa also secured an air diving

support contract for SBM installations offshore

Nigeria. The work programme, for Chevron-

SPDC, includes a number of buoy, hose and

PLEM change-outs, in a waterdepth of 30

metres. The assignment requires a 17-man

team, working for seven weeks off the DP2

vessel ‘Dynamic Installer’ during March and

April. Prior to this, a 21-man saturation diving

team was mobilised on board the ‘Dynamic

Installer’ for Total E&P, for work in the Moho

and Tchibouela fields, and for ENI Congo pipe-

line gas leak repair work.

Work during April included an UWILD

(Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Drydocking)

task involving the FPSO ‘Zafiro Producer’. Once

again, the location was offshore Equatorial

Guinea. The range of works, undertaken for

Mobil Equatorial Guinea, included the sealing

of a seawater intake pipe using a Vetter inflat-

able product.

Looking ahead, prospects are good for the

SMIT SAT2 9-man saturation dive system.

Immediate employment prospects include

field development work off a DP2 diving sup-

port vessel. This dive system was fully occupied

in 2008 for Saipem, initially in Thailand on the

DP2 ‘Nor Spring’, and then in Indonesia on the

‘Castoro 10’, working on BP’s Tangguh LNG

facilities. SMIT Subsea Africa is currently super-

vising the newbuilding of SMIT SAT4, a 12-man

saturation system being built in Cape Town,

which will be ready for service early in 2010.

During April, SMIT Subsea Africa concluded an

agreement for the provision of air diving ser-

vices to Saipem, on board their vessel ‘Castoro

Otto’, for head client PTSC on the Pearl field

in Vietnam. This initial 40-day contract is for

dive support during pipelay activities, and will

occupy the time of a surface dive spread and

eight diving personnel.

MIDDLE EASTGlobal recession may have had an impact

on construction activities in the Middle East

region, but the offshore oil and gas sector

continues to move ahead - as does SMIT

Subsea Middle East’s workload. Last year’s

successes included the award of a significant,

five-year port maintenance contract from

Qatar Petroleum. Resources mobilised for this

long-term assignment include two five-man

dive teams, vessels and equipment. Around 50

personnel are now engaged in this project.

Work began during the third quarter of last

year. The activities centre on two main ports.

In the north, one dive team is based at Port

Raslaffan, a hub for the offshore oil and gas

industry. This port has extensive storage facili-

ties and an LNG export terminal. The scope of

work at this location includes maintenance

within the port and support for offshore SPMs.

The second location is Port Mesaieed, 45 kilo-

metres south of Doha and Qatar’s main cargo

import centre. All construction materials, for

example, enter Qatar through Port Mesaieed.

The port’s facilities include an LNG export ter-

minal and an offshore SPM. The scope of work

includes SPM maintenance and the inspection

and repair of vessels and quayside facilities

within the port.

Last October saw SMIT Subsea Middle East

mobilise to Sudan on behalf of GNPOC

(Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company).

SMIT is no stranger to Sudan, having provided

a range of terminal support services in the

country since 1999. This task, under a separate

contract, called for the change-out of subsea

hoses for a Bluewater SPM, including a subsea

“Lazy S” hose connection with a mid-water

buoyancy tank. The project required a 30-man

team from Dubai and a self-propelled crane

barge.

The location was at Marsa Bashayer oil export

terminal, some 25 miles south of Port Sudan.

The work was completed over a 15-day period,

in 54 metres waterdepth, by end-November.

The team had returned to Dubai by mid-

December. The client presented a Safety Award

to SMIT Subsea Middle East, in recognition of

good performance.

SMIT Subsea Middle East’s latest project is a

contract, signed with subsea main contractors

Acercgy, for the installation of SBMs offshore

Qatar.

SMIT SUbSEA PROJECT TEAMS ARE ACTIvE WORLDWIDE

The ‘EDT Protea’ at work in the MA-D6 Field.

SMIT Subsea Africa’s LR50 Diver Launch and Recovery systems

on standby on board the DPII DSV REM ‘Etive’ where diving

support was performed for the Java Pipeline repair project

offshore Indonesia.

SMIT Subsea Europe removed and replaced

the thruster of pipelay vessel ‘Solitaire’.

A diver prepares the installation of a riser.

SMIT’S NEW FLEET: A PERSPECTIvE ON FIvE yEARS OF ACHIEvEMENT

An impressive total of 120 new vessels have

joined SMIT’s fleet since March 2004. That

number is set to grow to 133 by the end of

this year. Of the vessels delivered to date,

the most numerous class are the 2810s.

A total of 23 tugs of this ASD class have

joined the fleet over the past five years.

This design was the result of a fruitful col-

laboration between SMIT and tug-builders

Damen. The 2810 offers important advan-

tages, including a remarkably high degree

of standardisation. The 2810 is a relatively

light tug, in the 60-65 tonnes bollard pull

(tbp) range, delivering a lot of power in a

compact size.

The main commercial benefit of the 2810 is its

high degree of interchangeability. Deployment

decisions can be taken very late in the build

cycle, or even following delivery. For example,

2810s ordered for Rotterdam have since been

switched to Klaipeda and Liverpool.

Other notable milestones in the newbuilding

programme include the seven “L-Class” ves-

sels. These 75 tbp AHTS vessels currently work

primarily in the Middle East Gulf, with the

exception of the ‘Smit Lumba’, now operating

in Gabon waters.

Notable newbuildings also include the

anchorhandlers ‘Smit Kamara’ and ‘Smit

Komodo’, rated at 80 tbp, and the ‘Smit

Nicobar’, 120 tbp. ‘Smit Kamara’ has a special

offshore access system. It works under long-

term contract to Shell, operating in the plat-

form maintenance role in the UK and Dutch

sectors of the North Sea. The ‘Smit Komodo’

and ‘Smit Nicobar’ both operate in the Far East.

Newbuildings due for delivery this year include

four 3213 tugs from Damen Vietnam. These

88/90 tbp tugs are’ Smit Panther’, ‘Smit Jaguar’,

‘Smit Cheetah’ and ‘Smit Tiger’. ‘Smit Panther’

will join the fleet in June and will be based

initially at Rotterdam. ‘Smit Jaguar’ will arrive

next, working in Rotterdam-Europoort in the

first instance, followed by the remaining pair

in the series during August. They will go to

Antwerp.

August will also see the completion of the

delivery of a further four tugs for the SMIT

Rebras joint venture. The ‘Smit Crao’, ‘Smit

Chorrua’, ‘Smit Caripuna’ and ‘Smit Caraja’ are

70 tbp RAL 3000 vessels, for service in various

Brazilian ports.

New tugs this year will also include the two

outstanding ASD 3211 vessels ‘Smit Leopard’

and ‘Smit Lynx’, 70 tbp. They will be delivered

by Penlai Yard, China, by the year’s end. Recent

deliveries include the 65 tbp tug ‘Union Topaz’

and ‘Union Onyx’, from Armon, Spain.

May will also see the delivery of the first of

a pair of new 65 tbp KST tugs for service in

Singapore. The second of the two will follow

in October. Rotterdam fleet: the 28 tbp ‘Smit

Bulldog’ (expected in September 2009 and for

deployment with SMIT Transport);

Two sister vessels of ‘Smit Bulldog’ - the ‘Smit

Beluga’ and ‘Smit Buffalo’ - are to be delivered

by Damen, The Netherlands, in December

2009 and early 2010. They will be deployed at

Rotterdam.

Looking ahead to next year, the newbuildings

to be delivered for the ‘Smit Siyanda’ (a Robert

Allan Rampage 5000 tug rated at 90 tonnes

bp - earmarked for SAPREF SPM support duties

and expected in April/June 2010); and a sister

vessel to ‘Smit Siyanda’ (for service with SMIT

Terminals in Angola).

URS will take delivery of a further three new

tugs in 2010. These 80 tbp vessels, building at

Armon, Spain, are for delivery in April, July and

December.

During 2011 an additional seven tugs will

be delivered: a further 80 tbp vessel for URS

and a series of six 65 tbp vessels for KST. This

will bring SMIT’s newbuilding total

to 156 vessels during the March

2004-December 2011 period.

www.smit.com13

tug magazine

6x Type: RAmpart 3000 TBP: 70Shipnames: Smit Canindé / Caiapó / Craó / Charrua / Caripuna / Carajá

3x Type: 22.1 m - Crew / Pilot boatShipnames: Smit Bubyan / Falaika / Kubbar

6x Type: DMPT 2500 TBP: 30Shipnames: Smit Bronco / Barracuda / Bison / Bulldog / Buff alo / Beluga

6x Type: Armon Design TBP: 65Shipnames: Union Coral / Emerald / Pearl / Ruby / Onyx / Topaz

2x Type: Dive boat Shipnames: DB1 / DB2

2x Type: ASD tug 3110 TBP: 60Shipnames: Smit Diare / Owena

6x Type: ASD Escort Tug TBP: 70Shipnames: Smit Europe / Africa / San Francesco AT / San Nicola AT / San Marco AT / San Giorgio AT

2x Type: Armon Design - 25 m TBP: 65Shipnames: Union Amber / Jade

1x Type: Port regulation vessel Shipname: Smit Owaijahj

1x Type: Wavetrain Shipname: t.b.d.

4x Type: ASD tug 3211 TBP: 70Shipnames: Smit Rio Muni / Bioko / Leopard / Lynx

2x Type: 28m ASD Tug TBP: 45Shipnames: Smit Madagascar / Mauritius

18x Type: ASD tug TBP: 45Shipnames: Maju Star / Sun / Saturn / Space / Sky / Solar / Solitaire / Sphere / Sunrise / Sedna / Sirius / Safe / Skill / Supreme / Stellar / Super / t.b.d.

4x Type: ASD tug 3213 TBP: 95Shipnames: Smit Panther / Jaguar / Cheetah / Tiger

2x Type: RAmpart 3000 TBP: 62Shipnames: Smit Port Said / Smit Damietta

4x Type: ASD tug TBP: 52Shipnames: KST Leo / KST Libra / Maju Mars / Maju Mercury

3x Type: Fast crew supplier 1605 / 1405 Shipnames: Smit Oloma / Fibiri / Qasim

2x Type: Stantug 3509 TBP: 57Shipnames: Smit Mandji / Ozouri

4x Type: RAmpart 3200 TBP: 65Shipnames: Union Grizzly / Kodiak / Panda / Koala

9x Type: ASD tug TBP: 65Shipnames: KST 54 / 55 / 56 / t.b.d.

1x Type: Eurocarrier Shipname: Smit Al Kout

1x Type: Stantug 2208 TBP: 38Shipname: Smit Femco Novik

6x Type: Armon Design - 33 m TBP: 80Shipnames: t.b.d.

12x Type: RAmpart 2500 TBP: 45Shipnames: Smit Tupi / Tuxá / Torá / Ticuna /Terena / Tucano / Tapajó / Tamoio / Tariana / Tupari / Tapena / Tupinambá

1x Type: Line Handler Shipname: Smit Al Kuwait

23x Type: ASD tug 2810 TBP: 60Shipnames: Smit Panama / Cristobal / Balboa / Curacao / Jamaica / Antiqua / Aruba / Bonaire / Barbados / Elbe / Donau / Grenada / Hudson / Schelde / Martinique / Trinidad / Dominica / Cayman / Montserrat / Saba / Guadeloupe / Seine / Ebro

2x Type: Z-Tech TBP: 60Shipnames: t.b.d.

4x Type: Smitbarge Shipnames: Smitbarge 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

2x Type: Bunker barge Shipnames: Smit Lipuma / Inesita

2x Type: Gravel barge Shipnames: 2801 / 2802

1x Type: Wood chip barge Shipname: Smit 1210

2x Type: MTD 7080A TBP: 80Shipnames: Smit Kamara / Komodo

1x Type: MTD 70120A TBP: 120Shipname: Smit Nicobar

7x Type: L-Class TBP: 75Shipnames: Smit Lombok / Langkawi / Lingga / Luzon / Lumut / Lumba / Laisa

2x Type: RAmpage 5000 TBP: 90Shipnames: Smit Siyanda / t.b.d.

2x Type: ASD AHTS TBP: 72Shipnames: Ocean Taba / t.b.d.

Tugs barges AHTS Others 156TOTAL

SMIT NEWbUILDING PROGRAMME2004 - 2011

www.smit.com15

tug magazine

SMIT Engineering’s E3 new generation tug

project continues to make progress. The

E3 (Environment-friendly, Efficient and

Economically-viable) project began two

years ago as a cooperative venture between

SMIT Engineering (project leader), tug

builders Damen and power and energy

management specialists Alewijnse of

Nijmegen.

The aim of the E3 Group is to produce a

“future tug” combining excellent environmen-

tal performance and an unusual degree of

operational flexibility. Peter Kortekaas, General

Manager of SMIT Engineering, says: “We have

completed the vital first steps, quantifying fuel

consumption and emission levels for a repre-

sentative spread of our existing tugs. This had

created the all-important benchmark. This

operating profile already demonstrates much

scope for optimisation. We can now relate this

profile to user requirements and take steps to

optimise energy use. In addition, we can refine

the E3 goals on the basis of this data.”

The options explored under the E3 banner

include hybrid propulsion, diesel-electric, LNG

power and hydrogen power - across a variety

of combinations. Peter Kortekaas explains:

“We have developed an E3 Model. This allows

us to simulate the operating profile and test

the influence of the various propulsion options

on key environmental and operational param-

eters. The fundamental objective is to identify

the most favourable propulsion configuration

yielding the greatest emission reduction. We

hope to reach a conclusion on this front by the

third quarter of this year. We will then review

the cost implications in greater detail.”

The next step would then involve the devel-

opment of a conceptual design, with Damen

working on hull design and engine layout.

The detailed analysis will include the costing

of improved performance in environmental

terms.

Aim is to turn E3 into a hard engineering

project by the end of the year. During 2010

more progress, should lead to Damen’s con-

struction of a prototype E3, with the design

taking its place as an option available to cus-

tomers. As the operator contributing to the E3

project, SMIT will set the core parameters for

the design and the environmental performance

criteria. The latter will take account of national

and international regulatory requirements.”

Peter Kortekaas concludes: “We are looking

for a step change in tug design. Optimisation

is the key, whilst preserving functionality. We

have always focused on optimising operational

capabilities. Now we need a much broader-

based optimisation. In seeking this new con-

cept, we will be applying available technolo-

gies within an acceptable cost envelope. This

requires cradle-to-grave benchmarking and

cost analysis. It’s a real challenge!”

SMIT Engineering is also participating in H3T

(the Hydrogen Hybrid Harbour) tug concept.

One important issue here is the storage and

supply of hydrogen as fuel. LNG is also a fuel

source under serious consideration, within

a hybrid configuration operating in an LNG

terminal context.

WORk PROGRESSES ON THE E3 TUG CONCEPT

SMIT’s SHE-Q Conference 2009 took place in

March. The week-long event was attended

by 30 delegates, including an overseas

contingent representing SMIT offices and

operations across the world. Most partici-

pants have dedicated responsibilities for

SHE-Q issues. The main theme of this year’s

gathering was “Full ahead on the Second

Lap”. This consisted of a detailed set of brief-

ings and an exchange of views on measures

to “win hearts and minds” in SMIT’s drive

to increase SHE-Q excellence. The aim is

greater personal awareness of this goal and

a deeper sense of individual responsibility.

The 2009 SHE-Q Conference agenda included:

an overview of the Second Lap; an introduc-

tion to SMIT’s “Greening Initiative” (includ-

ing the Environmental Action Plan); the role

of SHE-Q Officers in corporate surveys; best

practice and lessons learned in SHE-Q; and an

exploration of the interaction between SHE-Q

and the Line.

The fifth day had a rather different format.

SHE-Q General Manager Sageed Kunhiraman

says: “We decided to devote the fifth day to

a ‘SHE-Q Parliament.’ We took the view that

an open forum of this type would encourage

a free exchange of views. The challenge for

participants was to argue for or against three

‘Bills’. The subjects, such as commitment to

the environment in the midst of deep reces-

sion, provoked some passionate debate. It was

interesting to see how the participants divided

along ‘party’ lines.”

The Conference had a strong start. It was

opened by CEO Ben Vree. He highlighted

the financially troubled time on the horizon

and went on to emphasize the significance

attached to SHE-Q during this period. Other

senior managers participated in the pro-

gramme during the week.

Sageed Kunhiraman explained SHE-Q’s Second

Lap and its theme: ”Full Ahead!” The Second

Lap marks a new beginning. There is also a

sense of urgency about this initiative. Our oil

and gas industry clients are front-runners in

SHE-Q and we must pull alongside them - not

play catch-up. We cannot afford to fall behind,

especially in the fundamentals. Very regretfully,

we had two fatalities in 2008 and this serves as

a caution for everyone, from the top down.”

SMIT’s SHE-Q Second Lap has a series of firm

objectives. They include exploring the area of

behavioural safety, reinforcing the corporate

SHE-Q structure, developing SHE-Q-related

management tools and SHE-Q training for

decision-makers, operations staff and the

SHE-Q professionals.

Sageed Kunhiraman concludes: “There is room

for improvement, but I believe the SHE-Q

Conference achieved its main objective, which

was to bring our SHE-Q professionals closer

together. It also provided the right platform, at

the right time, to launch the SHE-Q Second Lap.”

SMIT’S SHE-Q PROFESSIONALS GATHER IN ROTTERDAM

NVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

CONOMICALLY VIABLE

FFICIENT IN OPERATIONSNVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

CONOMICALLY VIABLE

FFICIENT IN OPERATIONS

On April 24 this year, the newly

built URS harbour tugs ‘Union

Topaz and ‘Union Onyx’ were

named during a festive ceremony

in Zeebrugge.

Sponsor ladies Erna Vienne, Chairman

of the Association Port of Zeebrugge

Interests (APZI) and Port Manager at

P&O Ferries in Zeebrugge, and Marina Kullberg,

spouse of Loek Kullberg, Managing Director of

SMIT’s Harbour Towage and Terminals Divisions,

performed the Naming ceremony of the ‘Union

Onyx’ and ‘Union Topaz’ respectively.

With these two newbuildings the URS fleet in

Zeebrugge now consists of five identical 65

tonnes bollard pull harbour tugs. The vessels -

‘Union Coral’, ‘Union Pearl’, ’Union Emerald’, ‘Union

Onyx’ and ‘Union Topaz’ - were all built at Armon,

in Spain.

NAMING CEREMONy URS NEWbUILDINGS IN ZEEbRUGGE

The sponsor ladies with their spouses and

mr. Vierstraete and mr. Francken of URS.

Sponsor ladies Erna Vienne and Marina Kullberg

underway to perform the Naming ceremony.