Business Reporter -
Muscat, FEB 5 -
In cooperation with Svitzer, Sohar Port and Freezone (Sohar), recently signed a charter agreement for five new tugboat vessels to replace the existing Sohar tugboat fleet and provide 24/7 operational support for vessel movements in and around the rapidly expanding port.
The marine service agreement was signed between Dr Mohammed Nasser Ali al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board at Sohar Port and Freezone, and Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Svitzer.
Commenting on the importance of the new tugboats, Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of Sohar Port and Freezone said, “Sohar Port and Freezone has seen significant growth in port operations and vessel calls over the course of 2018. To keep up with the ever-increasing developments, the provision of tugboats for safe and efficient navigation is vital for our operational capability. According to this agreement, Svitver will be responsible for supplying, manning, managing, operating and maintaining five tugboats at Sohar on a continuous 24-hour operational cycle to ensure safe manoeuvrability for incoming vessels.
This also includes the provision of the tugboats, maintenance and the presence of skilled sailing crew, whilst simultaneously adhering to the HSSE and environmental standards in place at Sohar. We are extremely proud to be collaborating with Svitzer once again, which is the leading provider of marine services with over 430 vessels in operation globally.”
A tugboat is a type of vessel that helps move other vessels by either pushing or pulling them by direct contact or a tow line. Tugboats are generally used to assist vessels that are restricted in their ability to manoeuvre on their own, such as in the case of ships in a crowded harbour or a narrow canal, or to move stationary vessels, like barges.
Thygesen stated, “Svitzer is globally renowned for being able to mitigate the harshest weather conditions, alongside being able to moderate any unforeseen circumstance at sea. We are committed to always provide assistance to our clients in any scenario.
In line with this commitment and together with Sohar Port and Freezone, we seek to provide reliable and safe navigation for vessels, as and when it is needed, while maintaining only the highest safety standards.”
The contract will have a duration period of 15 years with the delivery of the first tugboats expected on August 1, 2020.
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